Prince of Thieves

When Hermes comes home after stealing Apollo’s cattle, his mother, Maia scolds him over his behaviour.

Hermes will have none of it. He explains to her that he doesn’t believe they should go on living obscurely in a cave. He doesn’t believe they should be shunned by the other gods. He believes they deserve better.

‘I’m ready to do whatever I must so that you and I will never go hungry. Why should we be the only gods who never eat the fruits of sacrifice and prayer? Better always to live in the company of other deathless ones - rich, glamorous, enjoying heaps of grain - than forever to sit by ourselves in a gloomy cavern. And as for honor, my plan is to have a share of Apollo’s power. If my father won’t give it to me, I intend to be - and I mean it - the Prince of Thieves.’