Most accounts place Hermes’ birth in Mount Cyllene in Arcadia, where he was born to the nymph Maia. Hermes was the son of Zeus and Maia, one of the Pleiades, and the second youngest of his siblings. His known siblings include Apollo, Artemis, Athena, Hera, Heracles (also known as Hercules), Aphrodite and Ares. Hermes is considered a god of transitions and boundaries. He is described as quick-witted and cunning, a master of thieves and liars.
Hermes was born in a cave on Mount Cyllene in Arcadia. According to some accounts he was born during the night while his father Zeus was away on Mount Olympus. His mother Maia hid him away from his father’s sight so that he would not be seen by the other gods who would surely kill him for his wisdom and cunning ways.
Other accounts say that Zeus saw Hermes being born and immediately knew of his true nature. In order to protect him from the other gods, Zeus gave him to Maia to raise in secret. Regardless of how he came into existence, it is clear that Hermes was not like any other god or mortal man. He possessed great wisdom and knowledge from birth which quickly set him apart from others.