Mercury was the son of Jupiter and the Titaness, Maia, daughter of the eternally doomed Atlas, (who was condemned to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders). It was just another "fling" for Jupiter, who was known for his philanderous affairs with women, both mortal and non. But this time, all was different.
With only being alive for five minutes, Mercury crept out of his crib and went off, looking for adventure. It brought him to the fields of the shepherd Apollo, who's cattle grazed innocently. He stole them all.
The babe was born on the break of day,
And ere the night fell he had stolen away,
Apollo's herds.
Apollo searched everywhere for his most precious, white cows. The crows whispered into his ears that his brother stole them, but he did not trust the crows. Instead, Apollo began wandering, wandering, wandering.
Then one day, he came upon a cave, etched into Mount Cyllene. Inside Maia sat by her fire, while a small baby forged something out of a tortoise shell that created the most beautiful of music on her lap.
"Good morning, fair cousin." Apollo had said to the Titaness. "I see you have been blessed with a son."
"Yes, bright Phoebus. Your half-brother, Hermes." (mercury)
"Half-brother, ey? Well, that needs no explanation. What is that he has?"
"Oh, he makes his own toys. He is so clever and bright! He made this out of a tortoise shell and cowgut! It makes the most joyous of sounds!"
"Cowgut? Dear cousin, may I ask just which cow has sacrificed herself for such a thing?"
"I do not understand."
"Understand this: and entire herd of my cows has been stolen...the crows told me that it was a babe, my brother...and I do believe that I now owe them an apology!"
"Are you telling me that you would accuse such an innocent child?! For shame, Apollo!"
"Stop it!" Mercury stood on his mother's lap, and then bowed to the sun-god before him. "Yes, I did take your cows, Phoebus Apollo of the sun and shepherds. But I had no way to know that they were yours. They are all safe, except for one, whom I sacrificed to the twelve gods of Olympus."
"Twelve? But there are only eleven!"
"Jupiter has graced me with being his twelvth...I really feel shamed for all of this, so let me give you this as trade." he then handed him the shell. "I call it a lyre...a most magical instrument."
Apollo was truly fascinated by the object. When he played it, he was then hooked.
All afternoon he stayed to practice his scales...while Mercury made some pipes out of reeds. Apollo also fancied those, for when the babe played them, the produced the most enchanting of sounds, even more so then the lyre's.
"What are those? I want them too!" Apollo demanded.
"I do not see any more cows."
"But I must have them! What else of mine do you wish?"
"Your golden staff."
"What? But this is a herdsman's staff, for the herdsman! It is a sign of authority!"
"Unworthy, no doubt, for a god of the sun." Mercury implied. "Let me take that office for you, and lift the burden from your shoulders."
"Agreed!"
"But if I give you both the lyre and reeds, then you are then a god of music. And I want something in return. Teach me augury."
"You don't belong in this pitiful cave, brother. You belong on Olympus!"
"Oh, yes! Take me there! Please!"
So Apollo took Mercury to Olympus, where he was introduced to Jupiter. He became intrigued with the boy, and hid him from Juno, (his wife) so he may commerce with him. After a while, it became clear that Mercury wished to enter the Pantheon, but there were no more realms or powers were left.
"I do not care for such things." Jupiter was told. "Let me be your messenger, and carry the tidings of your bountiful news to your clients. You will find me useful and resourceful, you shall see."
"Very well."
And so Mercury became the messenger of the gods. With him he carried Apollo's staff, known as the Caucus. On his feet were wings, that allowed him to glide across the sky with ease. Mercury also took upon many other posts, including the God of Commerce and Market, becoming proctector of traders. He was patron of liars and gamblers, framer of treaties, and guardian of travelers. Pluto also used his services, making him the Divine Herald, who guided the dead to Tatarus.
He had a shop on Olympus, where he invented the Alphabet, scales, and even cards and card games. Mercury appears in more tales of mythology, then any other god or goddess.
And how does this relate to our dear Ami, you might ask. She for sure doesn't steal! But that isn't the point. Naoko Takeuchi must have been thinking of his intelligence and ways of striking a deal when creating Sailor Mercury. She is indeed very resourceful, and of course, intelligent. (duh)
Well, I hope you liked that! If anyone would like segments like this on other gods or goddesses, then please e-mail me and let me know. I would love to spread the knowledge around!