[Grammar] serves/served as ...

[kadioguy]

Hermes

(a) a Greek god of commerce, eloquence, invention, travel, and theft who serves as herald and messenger of the other gods

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Hermes

(b) The god of commerce, invention, cunning, and theft, who also served as messenger, scribe, and herald for the other gods.

https://www.ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=HERMES
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Why is in (a) the present simple used, while in (b), the past simple? Here are possible answers:

For (a),

1. It seems to be a sort of timeless overview of the god.

2. The writer believes that Hermes is still existent. (He or she believes in the Greek gods.)

For (b),

3. The writer is thinking of Greek Mythology in the context of it being ancient.

4. The writer thinks that Hermes doesn't exist. (He or she doesn't believe in the Greek gods.)

What do you think?

 

[jutfrank]

The person who used the past tense in (b) apparently viewed Hermes as not 'operating' any more. We don't have to bring belief into it.

 

[kadioguy]

The person who used the past tense in (b) apparently viewed Hermes as not 'operating' any more. We don't have to bring belief into it.

Thank you, jutfrank.

So do you think that the writer of (a) viewed Hermes as still 'operating'? What do you mean by the word 'operating'?

 

[YAMATO2201]

In Greek mythology, Hermes is the herald and messenger of the other gods.

Is this sentence of mine correct?

 

[GoesStation]

In Greek mythology, Hermes is the herald and messenger of the other gods.

Is this sentence of mine correct?

Yes.

 

[jutfrank]

So do you think that the writer of (a) viewed Hermes as still 'operating'? What do you mean by the word 'operating'?

In the sense that I mean it, yes.

I used the word 'operating' because I think it's a much better word than 'existing'. I don't want to enter a metaphysical quagmire here. I initially used the word 'active' before changing my mind. The basic point is that for the writer of (B), Hermes no longer plays the same role that he did in ancient times. That is to say, Hermes does not have the same sort of presence that he once did.