Hermes Trismegistus

Hermes Trismegistus

Hermes Trismegistus, also known as simply Hermes, was an Isu revered as a Greek and Egyptian god of alchemy and magic, as well as a messenger of the gods. His beliefs and philosophies influenced the foundation of an ancient religious order called the Hermeticists.

Biography

Sometime in the sixth century BCE, Hermes Trismegistus met Pythagoras and his protégé Kyros of Zarax in a Greek desert. There, Hermes passed his staff onto Pythagoras, naming him his successor.

Influence

5th century BCE

During the late 5th century BCE, statues of Hermes were used all over the Peloponnese and the Greek islands as message boards on which bounties, contracts and other miscellanea were posted. Hermes was also worshipped on the island of Kephallonia, where a statue in his likeness stood inside the Drogarati Cave. In addition, the a staff called Hermes' Kerukeion ended up in the possession of the Spartan misthios Kassandra during the Peloponnesian War.

1st century BCE

During the 1st century BCE in Egypt, the citizens of Hermopolis replaced Thoth with Hermes in the Temple of Thoth. Berenike, the Nomarch of the Faiyum Oasis wrote a commendation to the temple, extending her thanks for embracing Hermes and promising they would be well compensated.

Gallery

Simulation of Hermes Trismegistus, in Elysium

An illustration of Hermes Trismegistus

Statue of Hermes, used as a message board in 5th century BCE

Trivia

• Hermes is regarded as one of the Twelve Gods, the major deities of the Greek pantheon.
• In both Greek and Egyptian mythology, Hermes Trismegistus was a result of the fusion between the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian god Thoth.
  • In Abrahamic mythology Hermes Trismegistus is connected to Enoch and the prophet Idris.

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy (first appearance)
• Assassin's Creed: Origins (mentioned in papyrus only)
• Assassin's Creed: Odyssey (statue only)
  • The Fate of Atlantis: Fields of Elysium (simulation)