Cap of invisibility
In classical mythology, the Cap of Invisibility (Ἅϊδος κυνέη (H)aïdos kyneē in Greek, lit. dog-skin of Hades) is a helmet or cap that can turn the wearer invisible,[1] also known as the Cap of Hades or Helm of Hades.[2] Wearers of the cap in Greek myths include Athena, the goddess of wisdom, the messenger god Hermes, and the hero Perseus. Those wearing the Cap become invisible to other supernatural entities, akin to a cloud of mist sometimes used to remain undetectable.[3]
Origins
One ancient source that attributes a special helmet to the ruler of the underworld is the
In
Users
Hades
As the name implies, Hades owned the helmet. It was forged for him by Elder Cyclopes after he and his brothers Zeus and Poseidon freed them from Tartarus. He then used this helmet to great effect during the Titanomachy and was instrumental in routing the Titans.
Athena
Athena, the goddess of wisdom, battle, and handicrafts, wore the Cap of Invisibility in one instance during the Trojan War.[7] She used it to become invisible to Ares when she aided Diomedes, his enemy. Her assistance even enabled Diomedes to injure the god of war with a spear.
Hermes
The messenger god Hermes wore the Cap during his battle with Hippolytus, the giant.[8][9]
Perseus
In some stories,
In popular culture
In the
The helmet also appears in the Italian mythological comedy
The helm plays a major role in Dan Simmons' novel Ilium in which the scholiastic narrator Thomas Hockenberry acquires the artifact through Aphrodite in her scheme to have the scholiast spy on and eventually assassinate the goddess Athena.
See also
- Bident – another mystical object associated with Hades
- Cloak of invisibility
- Cloaking device
- Mambrino – a fictional Moorish king who possessed a golden helmet that would make the wearer invulnerable
- Ring of Gyges
- Tarnhelm
References
- ISBN 978-1-57607-226-4.
- ^ Michael W. Stewart (2006-08-15). "Helm of Hades (Cap of Hades)". Greek Mythology: From The Iliad To The Fall Of The Last Tyrant. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-05-05.
- ISBN 978-0-521-28172-0.
- ^ Gargantua and Pantagruel Book 5, Chapter 8.
- ^ Erasmus, Adagia 2.10.74 (Orci galea).
- ^ Francis Bacon Essays Civil and Moral 21, "Of Delays".
- ^ "…but Athene put on the cap of Hades, to the end that mighty Ares should not see her." Homer. Iliad 5.844-845. Translation By A. T. Murray.
- ^ "Encyclopedia of Greek Mythology - Hippolytus". Archived from the original on 5 November 2015. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
- ISBN 9780786403172. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
- ^ Joel Skidmore (2006-06-10). "Hermes". Mythweb. Archived from the original on 2015-10-12. Retrieved 2007-05-05.
- ISBN 978-0-19-530805-1.
- JSTOR 2935950.