Hermes is a deity in ancient
Greek religion and mythology. Hermes is considered the herald of the gods, as
well as the protector of human heralds, travelers, thieves, merchants, and
orators. He is able to move quickly and freely between the worlds of the mortal
and the divine, aided by his winged sandals. Hermes plays the role of the
psychopomp or "soul guide" — a conductor of souls into the afterlife.
In myth, Hermes functioned as the emissary and messenger of the gods. In Roman
mythology, Hermes was known as Mercury, a name derived from the Latin merx,
meaning "merchandise," and the origin of the words
"merchant" and "commerce."