In classical mythology, the Cap of Invisibility (Ἄϊδος κυνέην (H)aidos kuneēn in Greek, lit. dog-skin of Hades) is a helmet or cap that can turn the wearer invisible.[1] It is also known as the Cap of Hades, Helm of Hades,[2] or Helm of Darkness. Wearers of the cap in Greek myths include the goddess of wisdom Athena, the messenger god Hermes, and the hero Perseus. The Cap of Invisibility enables 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.[3]
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The Bibliotheca (2nd/1st century BC) implies that the Helm of Invisibility was created by the Uranian Cyclopes, who gave Zeus the thunderbolt, Poseidon the trident, and a helmet to Pluto for their war against the Titans (Titanomachy).[4] The helmet is not specifically said to be the aidos kyneê, and its attribution to Pluto may have been suggested by the descriptive aidos, with its similarity to the name of Hades, the other common name for the ruler of the underworld. Other myths about the helmet never say that it was borrowed or obtained from Pluto, nor does he use it elsewhere.[5] In the classical mythology of the Renaissance, however, the helmet is regularly said to belong to the god of the underworld, and becomes proverbial for those who conceal their true nature by a cunning device.[6]
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.
The messenger god Hermes wore the Cap during his battle with Hippolytos, the giant.
In some stories, Perseus received the Cap of Invisibility (along with the Winged Sandals) from Athena when he went to slay the Gorgon Medusa, which helped him escape her sisters.[8] In other myths, however, Perseus obtained these items from the Stygian nymphs.[9] The Cap of Invisibility was not used to avoid the Gorgons' petrifying gazes, but rather to escape from the immortal Sthenno and Euryale later on after he had decapitated Medusa.[10]
In the Dragon Quest role-playing video game series, there is a piece of equipment named "Hades' helm." It is cursed, and is therefore useless, in every game but Dragon Quest IX, in which it can be alchemised into a Great helm.