In Homer’s Iliad, Hermes guides the Trojan king Priam safely to Achilles’ camp.
Priam makes the dangerous journey to recover the body of his son Hector, whom Achilles killed in single combat. The elderly king enters the Greek camp carrying ransom gifts and appeals directly to Achilles’ grief and humanity. Hermes protects and guides him during the night journey, helping him pass through the Greek forces unseen.
The meeting between Priam and Achilles is one of the Iliad’s most famous scenes. Priam reminds Achilles of his own father, Peleus, and kisses the hands that killed Hector. Achilles is moved by the shared experience of parental loss and agrees to return Hector’s body.
Hermes is especially appropriate as Priam’s guide because the god protects travelers and crosses boundaries between hostile worlds. Paris and Aeneas are important Trojans, but neither is the king Hermes escorts in this episode.