Hermes

Hermes was the messenger of the gods. He was renamed Mercury by the Romans, and was compared by the Greeks to Djeheuty, whom they called Thoth. He was one of the many products of Zeus' affairs; his mother was Maia, a nymph that lived in a cave on mount Cyllene.

Hermes was the god of words, both truthful and false. He was the only Olympian to gain his immortality through a contract. He was also the only being allowed to go anywhere he pleased. He created the lute and gave it to Apollo as a gift, not long after Apollo had reached a settlement with him over a matter of some stolen cattle. He also created the flute, which he traded for his famed wand, the Caduceus, as well as for lessons in giving prophecy.

Said to be cunning (and slightly deceitful), he was also the god of thieves. His wit aided many Greek heroes, from Ulysses to Heracles. He also helped Ares by freeing him from a bronze jar when Ares was captured by giants. He also retrieved Io for Zeus by defeating the Argus giant. He had Hades helmet, which made him invisible, as well as winged sandles. Being the only being that knew the road to the underworld, he led the dead in their descent.