n.
In Roman religion , the god of merchants, commonly identified with the Greek messenger of the gods, Hermes .
His temple on Rome's Aventine Hill was dedicated in 495 BC. The goddess Maia was identified as his mother, and the two were honoured in a festival on May 15. Mercury is sometimes depicted holding a purse, symbolic of his business functions. More often he is given the attributes of Hermes and portrayed wearing winged sandals or a winged cap and carrying a caduceus .
Mercury, with winged hat and staff, classical statue; in the Uffizi, Florence
Alinari/Art Resource, New York