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. [cite book
last =Hansen
first =William
title =Handbook of Classical Mythology
series=World Mythology
date =2004-06-10
publisher =ABC-CLIO
location =Santa Barbara
isbn =978-1576072264] Also known as the Cap of Hades or Helm of Hades [cite web
url=http://www.mythagora.com/encyctxt/subtexth/helmhades.html
title=Helm of Hades (Cap of Hades)
author=Michael W. Stewart
work=Greek Mythology: From The Iliad To The Fall Of The Last Tyrant.
date=2006-08-15
accessdate =2007-05-05] The helm was used by numerous figures, including the goddess of wisdom, Athena, the messenger god, Hermes, and the hero, Perseus. The Cap of Invisibility enablesWho|date=July 2007 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.Fact|date=May 2007

Origins

According to the mythographers, the Helm of Darkness, 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 Helm of Darkness to Hades. [Grimal, Pierre. "The Dictionary of Classical Mythology." Trans. A. R. Maxwell-Hyslop. Blackwell Publisher, 1996.] Other than this, however, Hades never used the Helm of Darkness,Who|date=July 2007 nor was it said that any of the users of the Helm

Users

Athena

The goddess of wisdom, Athena, used the Cap of Invisibility in one instance during the Trojan War. ["...but Athene put on the cap of Hades, to the end that mighty Ares should not see her." Homer. "Iliad" 5.844-845. [http://www.theoi.com/Text/HomerIliad5.html Translation By A. T. Murray] .] 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.Fact|date=May 2007

Hades

The Lord of the Underworld, Hades, wore the Cap of Invisibility in the Titanomachy, or divine war in which the gods Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades were given special tools by Cyclopses to aid them in their battle against the elder gods.

Hermes

The messenger god, Hermes, wore the Cap during his battle with Hippolytos, the giant.Fact|date=May 2007

Perseus

In some stories, Perseus received the Cap of Invisibility (along with the Winged Sandals and a silver wallet) from Hermes when he went to slay the Gorgon Medusa. [cite web
url=http://www.mythweb.com/gods/Hermes.html
title=Hermes
author=Joel Skidmore
publisher=Mythweb
date=2006-06-10
accessdate =2007-05-05] In other myths, however, Perseus obtained these items from the Stygian nymphs. [cite book
last =Morford
first =Mark P.O.
authorlink =
coauthors =Robert J. Lenardon
title =Classical Mythology
edition =Eighth
date =2006-07-18
publisher =Oxford University Press
location =USA
isbn =978-0195308051
pages =506-518
chapter=Perseus and the Legends of Argos] 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. [cite journal
last =Phinney Jr.
first =Edward
year =1971
title =Perseus' Battle with the Gorgons
journal =Transactions and Proceedings of the American Philological Association
volume =102
pages =445–463
doi =10.2307/2935950
url =http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0065-9711%281971%29102%3C445%3APBWTG%3E2.0.CO%3B2-X
accessdate =2007-05-05]

ee also

* Cloak of invisibility
* Cloaking device
* Tarnhelm

References