MAIA (pleiad and mother of Hermes)

Zeus lay with Maia at night unseen by gods and men while Hera slept.^4,5 Neither gods nor mortals knew about this union, which took place in the comradeship of love.^5,7 On the fourth day of the month, she gave birth to Hermes in a deep, shady cave on the frosty summit of Cyllene.^3,8,4,9 The infant was a rustic son, though he would later become the harper who played for Apollo.^10,11 Maia displayed her swaddled infant to Apollo when he accused the child, and Apollo perceived them despite his crafty hiding.^3,6

Hermes played the lyre and sang about the origins of the gods while standing at the left hand of Apollo.¹¹ He honored Mnemosyne first in his song because he belonged to her group.¹¹ Maia reported that the child visits Hades at night to steal things.¹² She was entrusted with the task of raising the infant Arcas in Arcadia.¹³ Her dwelling was bright, with closets for garments, tripods, and abundant cauldrons attended by handmaids.^6,7

Maia was a shy goddess who engaged in converse with Zeus in the comradeship of love.^5,7 She is described as a white maid who bore Hermes.⁹ Her father, Atlas, supports the starry skies, making her the daughter of a god.^9,8 She wheels in the heavens at morning and evening, small and dimly shining like the other Pleiades.² As the mother of Hermes, she is identified by that epithet in the ancient accounts.^14,15,16