Mercury (mythology)

Mercury is a Roman god, also known as the Roman god of trade, profit and commerce. His name is apparently derived from the Latin merx or mercator, a merchant. He is very similar to the Greek god Hermes (which see for more details) and the Etruscan Turms.

His temple on the Circus Maximus, on the Aventine Hill, was built in 495 BC.

On May 15, the Mercuralia was held in his honor; merchants sprinkled water from his sacred well near the Porta Capena on their heads.

Mercury became extremely popular among the nations the Roman Empire conquered. The Celts equated him with their main god Lugus, and Germans equated him with Wodan.

He was called Mercurius in Latin and Alipes ("with the winged feet")