CAP OF INVISIBILITY

In Greek mythology, the 'Cap of Invisibility' (''aidos kyneê'' in Greek) is a mysterious helmet or cap that possesses the ability to turn the wearer invisible.^[1] Also known as the 'Cap of Hades' or 'Helm of Hades'^[2] It was used by numerous figures, including the goddess of wisdom, Athena, the messenger god, Hermes, and the hero, Perseus. The Cap of Invisibility is said to enable the user to hide from the eyes of other supernatural beings, functioning much like the cloud or mist that the gods surround themselves in to become undetectable.

Contents

Origins

Users

Athena

Hermes

Perseus

See also

References

Origins

According to the mythographers, the Cap of Invisibility, amongst other items, was created by the Uranian Cyclops during the War of the Titans (Titanomachy). The Cyclops gave the thunderbolt to Zeus, the trident to Poseidon, and the Helmet of Invisibility to Hades.^[3] Other than this, however, it was never said that Hades ever used the Cap of Invisibility, nor was it said that any of the users of the Cap ever borrowed it directly from him.

Users

Athena

The goddess of wisdom, Athena, used the Cap of Invisibility in one instance during the Trojan War.^[4] 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 Hippolytos, the giant.

Perseus

In some stories, Perseus received the Cap of Invisibility (along with the Winged Sandals and a special pouch) from Hermes when he went to slay the Gorgon Medusa.^[5] In other myths, however, Perseus obtained these items from the Stygian nymphs.^[6] The Cap of Invisibility was not used to avoid the Gorgons' petrifying gazes, but rather to escape them later on after he had decapitated Medusa's head.^[7]

See also

★ Cloak of invisibility

★ Cloaking device

★ Tarnhelm

References

1. Handbook of Classical Mythology, , William, Hansen, ABC-CLIO, ,
2. Helm of Hades (Cap of Hades) Michael W. Stewart
3. Grimal, Pierre. ''The Dictionary of Classical Mythology.'' Trans. A. R. Maxwell-Hyslop. Blackwell Publisher, 1996.
4. "...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.
5. Hermes Joel Skidmore
6. Classical Mythology, , Mark P.O., Morford, Oxford University Press, ,
7. Perseus' Battle with the Gorgons, , Edward, Phinney Jr., Transactions and Proceedings of the American Philological Association, 1971