Mercury

Reading notes

• The Odes §1.2 son of nurturing Maia

  Mercury, whose shape Augustus is imagined to wear on earth as 'the avenger of Caesar.'

• The Odes §1.10 Mercury

  God of eloquence, the lyre, theft, and the guidance of souls; grandson of Atlas.

• The Odes §1.24 Mercury

  The guide of souls, who herds the dead into his 'black flock' and will not reopen the fates to prayer.

• The Odes §1.30 Mercury

  Named last among the deities of Venus' train.

• The Odes §2.7 Mercury

  The god (patron of poets) who bore Horace, terrified, safe through the enemy in a cloud.

• The Odes §2.17 men of Mercury

  Poets, the 'Mercurial men' under the god's protection.

• The Odes §3.11 Mercury

  Inventor and master of the lyre, invoked to teach a tune that may soften Lyde.

• The Epodes §13 the Cyllenian lyre

  The lyre of Mercury (Hermes), born on Mt Cyllene, who invented it; its music soothes the anxious heart.

• The Satires §2.3 Mercury's favorite

  Mercury, god of gain and trade; Damasippus's knack for profitable deals earned him the crossroads nickname, and a windfall is 'the prize ready Mercury holds out.'