Hermes was credited with inventing fire, the alphabet, dice (actually knucklebones) - and so he was worshipped by gamblers in his capacity as god of luck and wealth, and musical instruments, in particular, the lyre - made from a tortoiseshell by the god.

Because Hermes was i ntelligent, he was often considered the god of invention. Several inventions are attributed to him, such as the Greek alphabet, numbers, music, boxing, gymnastics, astronomy, and (in some tales) fire.

Hermes was described as the inventor of the tools and implements of shepherds and herders. From fire-sticks, to withers for tying animals, and the rural boundary stones (hermai). He was also the inventor of the various rustic arts: the primitive shepherd's lyre made from a tortoise-shell, shepherd's pipes, and pastoral poetry and fable.

Hermes was also credited with helping the Fates to invent the Greek alphabet. On his own, he reportedly invented the musical scale, astronomy, and the sports of boxing and gymnastics.