Mercury

Characteristics of Astronomic Body
Mercury is the planet closest to the sun. It is the second smallest planet in the Earths solar system. Mercurys atmosphere is also extremely thin. The sunlight on Mercurys surface is 6.3 times more intense than the Earths.

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A symbol of Mercury(Hermes)======

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Mercury was the bearer of messages of news. He was the God of liars, theives, shepherds, land travel, weights and measures, oratory, literature, athletics, and merchants. He also had a minor role in poetry. He was also the God of roads and would guide travelers where they would be going while Jupiter watched over them. Hermes was the closest to the mortals and would lead their souls to the underworld to be judged by the dreaded Hades.======

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According to legend, Mercury was born in a cave on Mount Cyllene in Arcadia. Jupiter got Maia pregnate in the middle of night while all other gods slept. In the morning, amazingly he was born. Maia wrapped him in swaddling bands, then she fell asleep. Mercury, however, squirmed free and ran off to Thessaly. This is where Apollo, his brother, grazed his cattle. Mercury stole a number of cows and drove them back to Greece. He hid them in a small grotto near to the city of Pylos and covered their tracks. Before returning to the cave he caught a turtle, killed it and removed its insides. Using the intestines from a cow stolen from Apollo and the hollow turtle shell, he made the first lyre. When he reached the cave he wrapped himself back into the swaddling bands. When Apollo realized he had been robbed he protested to Maia that it had been Mercury who had taken his cows. Maia looked to Mercury and said it could not be, as he is still wrapped in swaddling bands. Jupiter the all powerful intervened saying he had been watching and Mercury should return the cows to Apollo. As the argument went on, Mercury began to play his lyre. The sweet music enchanted Apollo, and he offered Mercury to keep the cows in exchange for the lyre. Apollo later became the grand master of the instrument, and it also became one of his symbols. Later while Mercury watched over his herd he invented the pipes known as a syrinx (pan-pipes), which he made from reeds. Mercury was also credited with inventing the flute. Apollo, also desired this instrument, so Mercury bartered with Apollo and received his golden wand which Mercury later used as his heralds staff.======

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It was Mercury who liberated Io, the lover of Jupiter, from the hundred-eyed giant Argus, who had been ordered by Hera, the jealous wife of Jupiter, to watch over her. Mercury charmed the giant with his flute, and while Argos slept Mercury cut off his head and released Io. Hera, as a gesture of thanks to her loyal servant, scattered the hundred eyes of Argos over the tail of a peacock (Heras' sacred bird). Mercury also used his ingenuity and abilities to persuade the nymph Calypso to release odysseus, the wandering hero, from her charms. She had kept Ulysses or Odysseus captive, after he was shipwrecked on her island Ogygia, promising him immortality if he married her, but Jupiter sent Mercury to release Ulysses. Legend says that Calypso died of grief when Ulysses sailed away. Mercury also saved Ulysses and his men from being transformed into pigs by the goddess and sorceress Circe. He gave them a herb which resisted the spell. Mercury also guided Eurydice back down to the underworld after she had been allowed to stay for one day on earth with her husband OrIopheus.======

Myth or Science Connection
Mercury the God had wings on his feet and head who was know to be very fast. He was also small. Mercury the planet is one of the smallest planets and is closest to the sun. Therefore the planet Mercury goes around the sun the fastest and Mercury the God was fast.

Works Cited Rosenberg, Donna and Sorelle Baker. Mythology and You Classical Mythology and Its Relevance to Today's World. Chicago. National Textbook Company. 1992. Print.

Philip, Neil. Mythology. New York. Eyewitness Books. 1999. Print.

Guerber, H.A. Myths Of Greece and Rome. Chicago. American Book Company. 1893. Print.