Greek
Aegis
Aegis (Αἰγίς)
Shaken, it raises storms and sends enemy armies fleeing in terror.
ArmorFirst recorded c. 750 BCE
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Photograph: A Greek bronze helmet of Corinthian type, about 650–600 BCE. Only eye openings are cut, and guards for nose and cheeks extend downward.
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ArchiveGreek · Armor
Helm of Hades
Kynee (Κυνέη)
Its wearer cannot be seen even by the gods.
- Owner
- Hades, god of the underworld
- Maker
- The one-eyed Cyclopes
- First record
- Homer, Iliadc. 750 BCE
- Gallery
- Greek
Notes on the photograph 3
Story
The helmet the Cyclopes made for Hades made its wearer visible to no one. In Book 5 of the Iliad Athena puts it on and enters battle, so that even Ares, god of war, cannot recognize her.
Perseus too borrowed this helmet from the nymphs when he went after Medusa. After beheading her he escaped the pursuing Gorgon sisters thanks to the helmet.
The Greek word kynee originally meant a cap of dogskin, a fitting name for the helmet of Hades, master of the hound Cerberus.
The object in the photo
The photograph shows Bronze helmet of Corinthian type(Greek, ca. 650–600 BCE), a real museum object that evokes the legendary artifact.
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