Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Why were heralds protected during warfare in ancient Greece?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
diplomacy
A larger-than-life Ramses II towering over his prisoners and clutching them by the hair. Limestone bas-relief from Memphis, Egypt, 1290–24 bce; in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo.
In ancient Greece, heralds were protected during warfare because they were considered to be under the divine protection of Hermes, the messenger of the gods. This religious association granted them a level of immunity that other envoys did not possess.1
Because of this inviolable status, heralds served as the primary and preferred channels of communication between warring parties, often traveling ahead of other envoys to secure safe passage. Their role was essential to the conduct of international relations in the ancient world, establishing early precedents for diplomatic conduct.1