Mercury

Reading notes

• The Art of Love §3.7 Cyllenian shell

  The tortoise-shell, from which Mercury (born on Mt. Cyllene) made the first lyre; here a comb or ornament of tortoiseshell.

• The Heroides §16 the winged messenger

  Mercury, who on Jove's orders brought the three goddesses to Paris with the golden apple for judgment.

• The Festivals §4.12 Wand-bearer

  Mercury (the Caduceus-bearer), sent to Tartarus to fetch Proserpina back.

• The Festivals §5.9 Wand-bearer

  Mercury, the Caducifer, guide of souls, who explains the origin of the Lemuria.

• The Festivals §5.15 grandson of Atlas

  Mercury, son of Maia the Pleiad, god of merchants, eloquence, and the lyre.

• Metamorphoses §1.11 grandson of Atlas

  Mercury (Cyllenius, son of Jove and Maia), sent to kill Argus; he comes disguised as a shepherd with his pipe.

• Metamorphoses §2.32 the son of Maia

  Mercury, son of Jupiter and Maia, who steals Apollo's cattle by cunning.

• Metamorphoses §2.33 Cyllenian

  Mercury, named from Mount Cyllene in Arcadia, his birthplace.

• Metamorphoses §2.34 grandson of Atlas and Pleione

  Mercury, descended through his mother Maia from Atlas and the Oceanid Pleione.

• Metamorphoses §8.223 wand-bearing descendant of Atlas

  Mercury, grandson of Atlas, bearer of the caduceus, here Jupiter's companion.

• Metamorphoses §13.391 Cyllenian

  Mercury, born on Mount Cyllene; Ulysses claimed descent from him through his mother.

• Metamorphoses §14.444 Cyllenian

  Mercury (Greek Hermes), born on Mount Cyllene, who gives Ulysses the herb moly as protection against Circe's drugs.