InGreek mythology,Ceryx/ˈsɪərɪks,ˈsiːrɪks/ (Ancient Greek:ΚῆρυξKērux, literally "herald"[1]) was a member of theAthenian royal family as the son ofHermes by either the princesses,Pandrosus[2] orAgraulus.[3]
Ceryx was, like his father, a messenger. But thekêryx career began as a humble cook for the tribe, a skill Hermes demonstrates in his cooked meat offerings on the Twelve Gods Altar set in place in 522 BC by Peisistratos III in Athens. The HomericHymn to Hermes 128 recalls the young god cutting out and laying up twelve steaks on a flat rock orplatamoni, the 12 Gods altar.
According toPausanias, Ceryx was the youngest son ofEumolpus,[4] one of the first priests ofDemeter atEleusis and a founder of theEleusinian Mysteries. He founded the two families of high priests in Eleusis: the ceryces (or Ceryces), a family of priests inAthens, and theEumolpidae.
InHomer’s time, ceryx was aprofession of trusted attendants or retainers of a chieftain. The role of ceryces/ˈsɛrɪˌsiːz/ expanded, however, to include acting as inviolable messengers between states, even in time of war, proclaiming meetings of the council,popular assembly, orcourt of law, reciting there the formulas ofprayer, and summoning persons to attend.Hermes, himself the ceryx of the gods, was their patron and carried thecaduceus (Latin corruption of Ancient Greekkerykeion), the herald’s staff.[5]
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