Aegis
in the Hellenistic world, a shield, buckler, breastplate or bib of Athena and Zeus bearing the head of Medusa/Gorgo (gorgoneion) that became a cult object associated with kings
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Summary
Aegis is a mythical object[1]. Aegis draws 8,390 Wikipedia views per month (mythical object category, ranking #3 of 22).[2]
Key Facts
- Creator: Hephaestus[3]
- Instance of: shield[4]
- Made from material: leather[5]
- Commons category: Aegis[6]
- Country of origin: Ancient Greece[7]
- Described by source: Pauly–Wissowa[8], The Nuttall Encyclopædia[9], Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition[10], Russian translation of Lübker's Antiquity Lexicon[11], Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary[12], Small Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary[13], Desktop Encyclopedic Dictionary[14], Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1926–1947)[15]
- Used by: Zeus[16]
- Native label: αἰγίς[17]
- Different from: Ancient Egyptian aegis[18]
Body
Influence
Things named for Aegis include Aegis Combat System[19], an industrial plant[20] and Aegis[21], a minor planet moon[22].
Why It Matters
Aegis has Wikipedia articles in 25 language editions, a strong signal of global cultural recognition.[23] Aegis is known by 34 alternative names across languages and contexts.[24]
Entities named for Aegis include Aegis Combat System[19], an industrial plant[20] and Aegis[21], a minor planet moon[22].