The Gorgoneion of the Aegis.
The Gorgoneion of the Aegis. I believe that we may have largely overlooked the single most important aspect of the Aegis.
While the Aegis often features prominently in ancient depictions of Athena/Minerva and Zeus/Jupiter, surprisingly little is known about exactly what it is or what it's powers are. Despite it's prominence in mythology, there isnt even agreement among classical authors as to what it's MADE of: some record it as a burnished, golden shield forged by Hephaestus, others either state or imply that it is a garment, or goatskin, with golden tassels. Homer himself can be counted among the latter group.
There is, however, one consistent feature of the Aegis. Whether the Aegis is depicted as a round shield, a goatskin cloak or even a breastplate, there is one point on which all the myths agree: The Aegis bears the head of the Gorgon. Always. The Aegis has to bear the gorgoneion or it simply isn't the Aegis. The myths aren't even consistent as to who OWNS the Aegis, most commonly it's Athena, sometimes loaning it to Zeus or Apollo. However, some ancient myths have Zeus as he who bears the Aegis. There is one story of Zeus constructing the Aegis in preparation for the war against the Titans. Yet even here, he slays the primordial Gorgon and affixes the visage to his Aegis.
The attestations of the link between the Aegis and the Gorgon head (gorgoneion) are myriad. I've included a selection below.
"It produced a sound as from a myriad roaring dragons (Iliad, 4.17) and was borne by Athena in battle ... and among them went bright-eyed Athene, holding the precious aegis which is ageless and immortal: a hundred tassels of pure gold hang fluttering from it, tight-woven each of them, and each the worth of a hundred oxen."
GORGONEION SET UPON THE AEGIS OF ATHENA
Homer, Iliad 5. 738 ff (trans. Lattimore) (Greek epic C8th B.C.) :
"Across her [Athena's] shoulders she threw the betasselled, terrible aigis (aegis), all about which Phobos (Terror) hangs like a garland, and Eris (Hatred) is there, and Alke (Battle Strength), and heart-freezing Ioke (Onslaught) and thereon is set the head of the grim gigantic Gorgo (Gorgon), a thing of fear and horror, portent of Zeus of the aigis."
Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 2. 46 (trans. Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"[Perseus gave] the Gorgo's head to Athene . . . Athena placed the Gorgo's head in the center of her shield. It is affirmed by some that Medousa was beheaded because of Athene, for they say the Gorgo had been willing to be compared with Athene in beauty."
Quintus Smyrnaeus, Fall of Troy 14. 453 ff (trans. Way) (Greek epic C4th A.D.) :
"She [Athena] donned the stormy Aigis flashing far, adamantine, massy, a marvel to the Gods, whereon was wrought Medousa's ghastly head, fearful: strong serpents breathing forth the blast of ravening fire were on the face thereof. Crashed on the Queen's breast all the Aigis-links."
Pausanias, Description of Greece 1. 21. 3 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"On the south wall of the Akropolis [at Athens] . . . there is dedicated a gilded head of Medouse (Medusa) the Gorgon, and round it is wrought an aegis."
Pseudo-Hyginus, Astronomica 2. 12 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"[Perseus] easily killed the Gorgon when she was overcome with sleep. Minerva [Athena] is said to have the head on her breastplate. Euhemerus [Greek writer C3rd B.C.] says the Gorgon was killed by Minerva."
Ovid, Metamorphoses 4. 770 ff (trans. Melville) (Roman epic C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :
"Minerva [Athena] still, to strike her foes with dread, upon her breastplate wears the snakes [of the head of Medousa] she made."
Propertius, Elegies 2. 2 (trans. Goold) (Roman elegy C1st B.C.) :
"Like Pallas [Athene] as she steps up to Athenian altars, her bosom covered with the Gorgon's chevalure of snakes."
Nonnus, Dionysiaca 36. 15 ff (trans. Rouse) (Greek epic C5th A.D.) :
"It [the spear of Ares] struck full on the aegis, and ran through the snaky crop of hair on the Gorgon's head, which none may look upon. So it wounded only the shaggy target of Pallas [Athene], and the sharpened point of the whizzing unbending spear scored the counterfeit hair of Medouse's image."
Suidas s.v. Gorgolophas (trans. Suda On Line) (Byzantine Greek Lexicon C10th A.D.) :
"Gorgolophas (Gorgon-crested): She who has a helmet of the head of the Gorgon, [that is] Athena."
Suidas s.v. Gorgonoton :
"Gorgonoton: Periphrastically, the shield [of Athena], the one which has a Gorgon [on it]."
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Gorgon derives from the ancient Greek word gorgós, which means "dreadful". What is the significance to us of having the Gorgons as an intrinsic aspect of the Aegis? I'm not entirely sure. However, I was struck by the fact that, in the Theogony, the Gorgons are associated with famine....They are also originally believed to have been sea-demons. The fact that gazing upon them turns people into stone is also widely documented. Could this power be a reference to their effect upon the limina/portals?
As ever, I'm sure others will be able to see connection that I haven't been able to make. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Edgar Allan Wright Hank Johnson flint dille H. Richard Loeb
While the Aegis often features prominently in ancient depictions of Athena/Minerva and Zeus/Jupiter, surprisingly little is known about exactly what it is or what it's powers are. Despite it's prominence in mythology, there isnt even agreement among classical authors as to what it's MADE of: some record it as a burnished, golden shield forged by Hephaestus, others either state or imply that it is a garment, or goatskin, with golden tassels. Homer himself can be counted among the latter group.
There is, however, one consistent feature of the Aegis. Whether the Aegis is depicted as a round shield, a goatskin cloak or even a breastplate, there is one point on which all the myths agree: The Aegis bears the head of the Gorgon. Always. The Aegis has to bear the gorgoneion or it simply isn't the Aegis. The myths aren't even consistent as to who OWNS the Aegis, most commonly it's Athena, sometimes loaning it to Zeus or Apollo. However, some ancient myths have Zeus as he who bears the Aegis. There is one story of Zeus constructing the Aegis in preparation for the war against the Titans. Yet even here, he slays the primordial Gorgon and affixes the visage to his Aegis.
The attestations of the link between the Aegis and the Gorgon head (gorgoneion) are myriad. I've included a selection below.
"It produced a sound as from a myriad roaring dragons (Iliad, 4.17) and was borne by Athena in battle ... and among them went bright-eyed Athene, holding the precious aegis which is ageless and immortal: a hundred tassels of pure gold hang fluttering from it, tight-woven each of them, and each the worth of a hundred oxen."
GORGONEION SET UPON THE AEGIS OF ATHENA
Homer, Iliad 5. 738 ff (trans. Lattimore) (Greek epic C8th B.C.) :
"Across her [Athena's] shoulders she threw the betasselled, terrible aigis (aegis), all about which Phobos (Terror) hangs like a garland, and Eris (Hatred) is there, and Alke (Battle Strength), and heart-freezing Ioke (Onslaught) and thereon is set the head of the grim gigantic Gorgo (Gorgon), a thing of fear and horror, portent of Zeus of the aigis."
Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 2. 46 (trans. Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"[Perseus gave] the Gorgo's head to Athene . . . Athena placed the Gorgo's head in the center of her shield. It is affirmed by some that Medousa was beheaded because of Athene, for they say the Gorgo had been willing to be compared with Athene in beauty."
Quintus Smyrnaeus, Fall of Troy 14. 453 ff (trans. Way) (Greek epic C4th A.D.) :
"She [Athena] donned the stormy Aigis flashing far, adamantine, massy, a marvel to the Gods, whereon was wrought Medousa's ghastly head, fearful: strong serpents breathing forth the blast of ravening fire were on the face thereof. Crashed on the Queen's breast all the Aigis-links."
Pausanias, Description of Greece 1. 21. 3 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"On the south wall of the Akropolis [at Athens] . . . there is dedicated a gilded head of Medouse (Medusa) the Gorgon, and round it is wrought an aegis."
Pseudo-Hyginus, Astronomica 2. 12 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"[Perseus] easily killed the Gorgon when she was overcome with sleep. Minerva [Athena] is said to have the head on her breastplate. Euhemerus [Greek writer C3rd B.C.] says the Gorgon was killed by Minerva."
Ovid, Metamorphoses 4. 770 ff (trans. Melville) (Roman epic C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :
"Minerva [Athena] still, to strike her foes with dread, upon her breastplate wears the snakes [of the head of Medousa] she made."
Propertius, Elegies 2. 2 (trans. Goold) (Roman elegy C1st B.C.) :
"Like Pallas [Athene] as she steps up to Athenian altars, her bosom covered with the Gorgon's chevalure of snakes."
Nonnus, Dionysiaca 36. 15 ff (trans. Rouse) (Greek epic C5th A.D.) :
"It [the spear of Ares] struck full on the aegis, and ran through the snaky crop of hair on the Gorgon's head, which none may look upon. So it wounded only the shaggy target of Pallas [Athene], and the sharpened point of the whizzing unbending spear scored the counterfeit hair of Medouse's image."
Suidas s.v. Gorgolophas (trans. Suda On Line) (Byzantine Greek Lexicon C10th A.D.) :
"Gorgolophas (Gorgon-crested): She who has a helmet of the head of the Gorgon, [that is] Athena."
Suidas s.v. Gorgonoton :
"Gorgonoton: Periphrastically, the shield [of Athena], the one which has a Gorgon [on it]."
---
Gorgon derives from the ancient Greek word gorgós, which means "dreadful". What is the significance to us of having the Gorgons as an intrinsic aspect of the Aegis? I'm not entirely sure. However, I was struck by the fact that, in the Theogony, the Gorgons are associated with famine....They are also originally believed to have been sea-demons. The fact that gazing upon them turns people into stone is also widely documented. Could this power be a reference to their effect upon the limina/portals?
As ever, I'm sure others will be able to see connection that I haven't been able to make. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Edgar Allan Wright Hank Johnson flint dille H. Richard Loeb
Could be possible itself Acolyte and Jahan should 'forge' with the portal network as the Gorgons on Aegis to stop this XM drain? Should them became shards to save each faction purposes? Are all the agents lost before Gorgons?
ReplyDeleteThe Gorgon head on the shield may be used to strengthen the shield when fighting enemies - when they were foolish enough they look at the head and turn to stone. The shield itself is also dangerous to the wearer - do it wrong (eg. look at it) and you turn yourself to stone.
ReplyDeleteImo this could be a warning: Be careful what you are doing or you destroy yourself.
On the other hand the gorgon head could be used agains the Shapers/N'zeer? Is it a 'feature' we are not aware of it (like the XM drought due to the Obsidian Shield)? By now we can just speculate.
Remember how the badge of mind Controller looks like. A head with tentacles or snakes.
ReplyDeleteI could believe an image that, when seen in the midst of combat might cause an enemy to double-take, freezing in place for just a moment. But that moment of being "turned to stone" is all the advantage the attacker needs.
ReplyDeleteAchim S. Good observation!
ReplyDeleteSarah Rosen Perhaps that is why both Agamemnon and Achilles are recorded as painting the image of the Gorgon on their respective shields. The ancient sources are, however, clear that these are images of the Gorgon, not the Gorgon itself. The Aegis alone is universally attested as "bearing the Gorgon".
ReplyDeleteClearly mortals might wish to emulate such a terrifying myth. I am more interested in what the Gorgon is or represents. There is an ancient association of serpents with knowledge....
Steven Wilson thx! It's only in my mind because our local Community Logo is related to mind Controller and Hydra. So that was the first I thought of when I read about Aegis Nova.
ReplyDeleteIt's also worth noting that the Aegis is never wielded passively. It is not a symbol of passive protection, rather it is carried forward in battle, wreathed in terror, anger and fury. It is a mighty instrument of war, but even the ancients didn't presume to know how it worked, but it is clearly more than just a shield.
ReplyDeleteThe Aegis exist in greek, egyptian and norse mythology. Interesting context.
ReplyDeleteSnakes are attributed to the N'zeer throughout Niantic research. So I am,certain regardless of shield, breastplate or whatever, it involves the N'zeer. The part that has me stumped is it was always attached to the object. That could go two ways. Either it's a Shaper weapon indicating the defeat of the N'zeer, perhaps a shield to block them. Or, it is a N'zeer weapon indicating a way to stop the Shapers. Since it was used with the head attached to an object I'm leaning towards a way to stop the N'zeer.
ReplyDeleteThe Medussa head I believe is the result of XM meeting Chaotic Matter. Hank witnessed this happen. Snake-like tentacles coming out transmuting humans into stone and a dark black Rock (Obsidian?) Into gold. I believe the shield of Aegis has to be the result of this. How the bearer is protected I'm not sure. Perhaps the shield is gold, already transmuted Obsidian and thus the effect is blocked behind it. This whole process is described in "The Alignment Ingress " I do not believe it is safe to use at all and we must not use it. It seems to be associated with the N'zeer. It is referenced in many places throughout Niantic research, The Book of The Dead etc.....But I am absolutely certain that this has to be correct. King Solomons/The Queen of Sheba's mines being one in the same, is one place where Chaotic Matter is concentrated and the whole effect happened. Hank and Conrad barely escaped with their lives from it, it is far too dangerous for us to use safely. Hank interrupted the process with a power cube which created an explosion but also opened a portal which transported him and Conrad to another portal that was linked to it.
ReplyDeletePerhaps the bearer is safe because they are behind it. The reference to the snakes spitting fire...perhaps the dread and the stillness of stone is induced by a super bright light. Remember the Gorgons were described as beautiful, yet no man could look directly on them. Combine that with golden, fire,and snakes; it begins to sound as if the object emitted a brightness equivalent to a solar flare. The gold would serve to reflect it forward.
ReplyDeleteIn addition, gold is the third best pure metal for conducting electricity and heat, and is the only one of the three to not corrode.
So, the shield would keep the bearer safe, but everyone in,front would be transmuted into stone. Hank said when the XM interacted with Chaotic Matter, a glowing shield erupted, then dark matter erupted grasping to take shape, large tentacles of Chaotic Matter lashed everywhere and lighting blasted from the resonator that had been placed there.
ReplyDelete