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"The staff or mace carried by heralds and ambassadors in time of war. This name is also given to the staff with which Hermes or Mercury is usually represented, as is shown in he following figure of that god. From caduceus was formed the word cadu ceator, which signified a person sent to treaty of peace. The persons of the caduceatores were considered sacred." — Smith, 1873

Caduceus

"The staff or mace carried by heralds and ambassadors in time of war. This name is also given to the…

Messenger of the gods

Hermes

Messenger of the gods

"Mercury, with his caduceus, summons the souls of the departed from Orcus, or the low world, as in the case of Protesilaus, for example, who obtained permission from Pluto and Proserpina to visit for a short period the regions of light." — Anthon, 1891

Mercury with caduceus

"Mercury, with his caduceus, summons the souls of the departed from Orcus, or the low world, as in the…