The Aegis
The Divine Shield of Zeus and Athena
Description and Nature
The Aegis (Greek: Aigis) is one of the most powerful divine artifacts in Greek mythology, a terrifying shield or breastplate borne primarily by Zeus and his daughter Athena. When shaken, it produced thunderstorms and filled enemies with supernatural terror. At its center was mounted the Gorgoneion, the petrifying head of Medusa.
The name "aegis" derives from the Greek word for goat (aix), connecting it to the hide of the divine goat Amalthea who nursed the infant Zeus. Homer describes it as forged by Hephaestus and fringed with golden tassels, each worth a hundred oxen.
Attributes and Powers:
- Impenetrable Protection: No weapon could pierce or damage the aegis
- Terror-Inducing: When shaken, it filled all who beheld it with paralyzing fear
- Storm Generation: Zeus used it to create thunder, lightning, and tempests
- Gorgoneion: The mounted head of Medusa could turn enemies to stone
- Divine Authority: Symbol of supreme divine power and protection
- Golden Fringes: Decorated with serpents and tassels of precious metal
Mythology and Origin
The Hide of Amalthea
The most common tradition holds that Zeus fashioned the aegis from the hide of Amalthea, the divine goat who nursed him in infancy on Crete. After her death, Zeus preserved her hide, which possessed supernatural protective properties. This same goat's horn became the Cornucopia, the horn of plenty.
The Addition of Medusa's Head
After Perseus slew the Gorgon Medusa with Athena's aid, he presented the severed head to the goddess. Athena mounted the Gorgoneion upon her aegis, adding its petrifying power to the shield's already formidable properties. This combination made Athena's aegis the most terrifying battle accessory in the Greek pantheon.
— Homer, Iliad V
Homeric Descriptions
In the Iliad, Zeus lends the aegis to Apollo, who uses it to rout the Greeks and protect the Trojan walls. When Apollo shakes the aegis, the Achaean ranks collapse in terror. This demonstrates that while Zeus is its primary owner, he could grant its use to other gods for specific purposes.
Symbolism and Legacy
Divine Protection
The aegis became the supreme symbol of divine protection in antiquity. To act "under the aegis" of someone meant to be protected by their power and authority. This phrase survives in modern English, where "under the aegis of" indicates sponsorship or protection.
Athena's Attribute
While Zeus owned the aegis, Athena became most associated with it in art and literature. Her role as goddess of defensive warfare and strategic battle made the aegis her natural attribute. Classical and Hellenistic sculptures consistently depict Athena wearing the aegis across her chest, with the Gorgon's head prominently displayed.
Related Articles
Bibliography
- Homer. The Iliad. Trans. Richmond Lattimore. University of Chicago Press, 1951.
- Hesiod. Theogony. Trans. M.L. West. Oxford World's Classics, 1988.
- Burkert, Walter. Greek Religion. Harvard University Press, 1985.