Which Greek god was Hermes’s half-brother through Zeus?

Apollo was Hermes’s half-brother through their father, Zeus.

In Greek mythology, Apollo was the son of Zeus and Leto, while Hermes was the son of Zeus and Maia. Their shared father made them half-brothers, although they had different mothers and distinct divine roles. Apollo was associated with music, prophecy, healing, archery, and the sun in later traditions; Hermes governed communication, travel, trade, and cunning.

The two gods appear together in the Homeric Hymn to Hermes. In that story, the newborn Hermes steals Apollo’s cattle, then invents the lyre. Apollo eventually receives the instrument, and the conflict between the brothers turns into an exchange of gifts and reconciliation.

Their relationship is therefore more complicated than simple rivalry. Apollo’s musical identity and Hermes’s invention of the lyre connect the two gods, while their contrasting personalities create much of the story’s humor and drama.