Greek Mythology Notes

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Aegis

concept

Αἰγίς

Shield or breastplate of Zeus and Athena

The aegis was a divine shield or breastplate belonging to Zeus and wielded by Athena, fringed with serpents and bearing the head of the Gorgon — it struck terror into all who beheld it.

The Myth

The aegis was variously described as a shield, breastplate, or cloak made from the skin of the goat Amaltheia (who nursed the infant Zeus) or of the giant Pallas. Athena attached Medusa's severed head to it after Perseus gave it to her, adding the power to petrify enemies. When Zeus shook the aegis, it produced thunder and terror. When Athena wielded it in battle, armies fled. Apollo borrowed it during the Trojan War to rout the Greeks.

Symbols

goat skinGorgon headserpent fringeterror

Fun Fact

Under the aegis of" means under someone's protection — directly from Zeus and Athena's shield.

Words We Inherited

English words and phrases that trace back to this myth:

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