The aegis or aigis (Ancient Greek: Αἰγίς; English pronunciation: /ˈiːdʒɪs/), as stated in the Iliad, is carried by Athena and Zeus, but its nature is uncertain. It had been interpreted as an animal skin or a shield, sometimes bearing the head of a Gorgon. There may be a connection with a deity named Aex or Aix, a daughter of Helios and a nurse of Zeus or alternatively a mistress of Zeus (Hyginus, Astronomica 2. 13). The aegis of Athena is referred to in several places in the Iliad. "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."
The modern concept of doing something "under someone's aegis" means doing something under the protection of a powerful, knowledgeable, or benevolent source. The word aegis is identified with protection by a strong force with its roots in Greek mythology and adopted by the Romans; there are parallels in Norse mythology and in Egyptian mythology as well, where the Greek word aegis is applied by extension.
Aegis is a fictional character, a cosmic entity appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is usually depicted as an enemy of Galactus. Created by writer Keith Giffen and artist Andrea DiVito, the character first appeared in Annihilation: Silver Surfer #3 (Aug. 2006). She is a member of the Proemial Gods and an ally of fellow member, Tenebrous.
Shortly after the Big Bang of the Marvel universe, the Proemial Gods arose from the very universe itself, collectively existing to maintain the cosmic consonance between order and chaos in the universe and to prepare "what exists for what is to come." Individually, each Proemial God became a caretaker of a specific universal mechanism, with Aegis of All Sorrows being tasked with "culling the living universe of divergences and aberrations." Over time the universe evolves, and life-forms begin to populate the cosmos. As each unique life-form enacts decisions and choices, cosmic consonance as a whole is served. This ultimately renders the Proemial Gods unnecessary. One of the Proemial Gods, Diableri of Chaos, convinces many of his brethren – including Aegis and Tenebrous – to prevent their obsolescence by a plan to remake the universe in his image. Civil war ensues among the Proemial Gods, and eventually Diableri and his allies bring the battle to Galactus. Galactus slays Diableri, and imprisons Aegis – along with Tenebrous (and possibly the neutral Antiphon the Overseer) – within the Kyln.
For the cosmic entity who also went by the same name, see Aegis (Lady of All Sorrows)
Aegis (Trey Rollins) is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He was created in 1999, first appearing in New Warriors vol. 2, #0. He then joined the second version of the New Warriors.
One day teenager Trey Rollins found a breastplate, the Aegis, and discovered it had magical powers. He created a costumed identity from his knowledge of Greek mythology and began calling himself Aegis. With his newfound powers, Aegis took it upon himself to protect his neighborhood from the gangs and criminals who menaced its residents. Aegis became a hero to the kids in Brooklyn who looked up to him.
Aegis later comes upon Nova who is battling Blastaar, a creature from the Negative Zone. He agrees to help Nova and the New Warriors defeat Blastaar and joins the newly reformed group.
Aegis and his team are featured in the secondary 'Contest Of Champions II'. Brainwashed by aliens so they will fight their friends for glory, they battle the superhero team the Slingers. This is not hand-to-hand like most of the other hero-hero battles, but a basketball game. Despite the unequal numbers, the Slingers almost win, with Aegis pulling out a last moment shot. In a later confrontation, the entire New Warriors team is subdued by the Black Panther.
Haste not thine wisdom, for the hollow is ta'en -
By whom, know I not: 'lack! am I of twain -
And as a crux - cede I my words -
* Fro' my heart wilt thou ne'er
Have I been 'sooth sinsyne.
* Be left without - come!
* Thine voice is oh so sweet
I speer thine pine,
* Ryking for me:
Ryking for thee;
* "List and heed", thou say'st
Whistful, whistful -
* Chancing to lure.
Chancing to lure,
Skirl and skreigh, but for thine ears, aye, lown 'tis -
Dodge na 'way herefro, do come here in eath!
Mayhap lured by the scent of lote -
'Od! - the foetid - eft hie back I mote;
For what I did my soul atrounced,
* How I wish for thee again,
O! do believe me, 'twasn't a frounce.
* Will I give thee it: Troth.
* Thine voice is oh so sweet
I speer thine pine,
* Ryking for me:
Ryking for thee;
* "List and heed", thou say'st
Whistful, whistful -
* Chancing to lure.
Chancing to lure,
Skirl and skreigh, but for thine ears, aye, lown 'tis -
Dodge na 'way herefro, do come here in eath!