MMythWeaveGreek Mythology Library
Deity

Maia

Daughter of Atlas and mother of Hermes by Zeus, placed by the Hymn to Hermes in a hidden cave.

MythWeave original portrait of Maia as a quiet divine mother with a terracotta face, dark mantle and restrained worn-gold cave-shadow cue on deep navy
MythWeave AI-assisted editorial pottery-line illustration

Overview

Maia is a daughter of Atlas and the mother of Hermes. The Hymn to Hermes places her in a shadowed cave on Cyllene, away from the company of the blessed gods, where Zeus comes to her and Hermes is born at dawn. Her story is deliberately quiet: she does not rule or fight, but her hidden motherhood joins Titan descent, Zeus’ desire and the sudden arrival of the Olympian messenger. The secrecy around the cave also prepares Hermes’ first actions, where a newborn god immediately moves between concealment, invention and divine recognition.

Key facts

Mother of Hermes

The opening of the Hymn to Hermes connects Hermes’ birth with Maia and Zeus.

A hidden birth setting

The hymn places Maia in a cave away from the gods’ sight, giving Hermes’ birth an atmosphere of secrecy and sudden action.

Relationships

  • Atlasfather of

    Homeric Hymn 4 presents Maia as a daughter of Atlas.

  • Hermesmother of

    Homeric Hymn 4 presents Maia as the mother of Hermes.

Ancient sources

MythWeave distinguishes ancient-source evidence from later adaptations and modern interpretation.

Open in the interactive atlas →