Mnemosyne — Classical Greek Myth Library

On the day of his birth Hermes finds a tortoise outside the cave on Cyllene, kills it, and hollows the shell. He stretches oxhide across it, sets reed bridges, and strings seven gut-cords—creating the first lyre. He sings of his own parentage and of the immortals while testing the new instrument. After the cattle raid and Apollo’s anger, Hermes plays; Apollo’s wrath melts into desire for the music. Hermes yields the lyre to Apollo as reconciliation-gift and receives the cattle and other privileges in exchange; Apollo becomes the god of the lyre, Hermes the inventor who moved on to panpipes in some sequel notices. Catalogue the invention and transfer apart from the full hymn plot: the tortoise becomes song; the thief becomes culture-hero of music’s origin.