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Hermes (Mercury) was the son of Zeus and Maia. He was represented in both Greek and Roman art and legend as wearing winged sandals and a winged cap and holding a winged wand. Hermes was the messenger of the gods. He was the patron of travelers, merchants and thieves. In Greek myths he escorted souls of the dead to Hades, using the name of Psychopompus and, as Oneicopompus he was seen as the lord of dreams and visions. He is credited with inventing the flute and the lyre. He later traded the lyre to Apollo for his winged wand.