Final answer:
Hermes was an ancient Greek deity with roles including being the messenger of the gods, protector of travelers, guide of souls, and god of eloquence and thieves. He was also involved in religious rites and had a significant role in ancient cults, often associated with the Mysteries and sacrifices. His ithyphallic representations link him with fertility within these cults.
Step-by-step explanation:
The god Hermes was a multifaceted figure in ancient Greek mythology, associated with various roles and responsibilities. He was known as the herald and messenger of the gods, the protector of travelers, the guide of souls to the underworld, and the god of trade, wealth, thieves, and eloquence. Hermes was connected to the Mysteries, which were religious rites and ceremonies, and in this context, he had a significant role in ancient cults and rituals, such as the ones practiced on Lemnos and in Samothrace.
The connection of Hermes with the Great Gods and the ram indicates that he had an important position in the local cults, where he might have been associated with the purification process. His presence in Mysteries, such as those of Demeter or the Kabeiroi, associates him with sacrificial practices and mysterious tales. Moreover, the ithyphallic depictions of Hermes, mentioned by ancient sources like Callimachus, suggest an association with fertility and a probable link to the Mysteries of initiation rites, quoting his peculiar nature to be of Pelasgian, a non-Greek, origin.
Hence, Hermes was not only responsible for his popular roles as a messenger and protector but also had specific religious and cultural duties that tied him closely to the esoteric and often private aspects of Greek religious life.