Mercury

Mercury was originally the god of commerce and trade, and the patron god of merchants. His worship was first established on the Aventine Hill in 495 BC. The festival was held on May 15, along with his mother Maia. The month of May was named after his mother.

Mercury was later identified with the Greek god Hermes. Mercury inherited Hermes' attributes as the messenger god, as well as the god of flocks and thieves, along with the Underworld guide of the dead. Mercury was probably also influenced by the Etruscan god Turms.

The Romans identified the German god Woden (Odin) and the Celtic Lugus (Lugh), Cernunnos, Esus and possibly Teutates, with Mercury.

On the Roman calendar, Wednesday was a sacred day for Mercury and it was called dies Mercurii (Mercury's Day) in Latin. It was later changed to Wednesday (Wodan's day) after Mercury's Germanic counterpart, Wodan.

In astronomy, Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun and the second smallest planet in our solar system. It takes only 88 days for Mercury to complete its circular orbit around the sun. Mercury has no satellite.