However, others refer to Rome as his place of birth.[4] Mercurius was the son of Yares, an officer in the Roman army.[citation needed] One day, while Yares was hunting in the forest with his father, the two were attacked by an animal. The animal jumped on Yares' father, causing Yares to faint. While Yares was unconscious, he had a vision with a brilliant light and a voice saying: