In Greek mythology, the aegis was an item of protection used mainly by Zeus, the god of gods. It was either the hide (or skin) of an animal or a shield made from the skin of a goat, and it sometimes had the head of a Gorgon, a monster along the lines of Medusa. It was apparently durable (tough and long-lasting); very durable, in fact that it was called “ageless” and “immortal” in the Iliad, an epic poem by legendary Greek author, Homer.
The cyclopes, a race of humongous monsters who had only one eye which was in the middle of their forehead, were responsible for creating the godly aegis. They worked for Hephaestus’, the god of blacksmiths and metalworking, and used his forge to create it. This work station was the place where the weapons of the Olympian gods were made, and it was said to be located in the Mount Etna volcano.
Athena, who was the Greek goddess of wisdom and warfare, also used the aegis for protection. When used in battle, the aegis let out the roar of ten thousand dragons, which would no doubt have the enemy shaking in terror. It also had a hundred hanging tassels made of pure gold, each with the worth of “a hundred oxen”. Some interpretations say that it also had golden serpent scales. It was said that when Zeus shook the aegis, clouds would cover Mount Ida on the Greek island of Crete, causing men to flee and hide in fear.
Aegis is also a word used today in modern English; when someone’s under the aegis of something, it means that they’re under their protection or that they have their support.
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Link will appear as Aegis – Element of Godly Protection: https://greekgodsandgoddesses.net - Greek Gods & Goddesses, October 21, 2019
