Egis

[ee-jis] /ˈi dʒɪs/

noun
1.
.
[ee-jis] /ˈi dʒɪs/
noun
1.
Classical Mythology. the shield or breastplate of Zeus or Athena, bearing at its center the head of the Gorgon.
2.
protection; support:
under the imperial aegis.
3.
sponsorship; auspices:
a debate under the aegis of the League of Women Voters.
/ˈiːdʒɪs/
noun
1.
a rare spelling of aegis
/ˈiːdʒɪs/
noun
1.
sponsorship or protection; auspices (esp in the phrase under the aegis of)
2.
(Greek myth) the shield of Zeus, often represented in art as a goatskin
n.

“protection,” 1793, from Latin aegis, from Greek Aigis, the name of the shield of Zeus, said by Herodotus to be related to aix (genitive aigos) “goat,” from PIE *aig- “goat” (cf. Sanskrit ajah, Lithuanian ozys “he-goat”), as the shield was of goatskin. Athene’s aigis was a short goat-skin cloak, covered with scales, set with a gorgon’s head, and fringed with snakes. The exact use and purpose of it is not now clear.

The goatskin would be worn with the two forelegs tied in front of the wearer’s breast, or possibly with the head passed through an opening made at the neck, by the removal of the animal’s head. [F. Warre Cornish, ed., “Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities,” London, 1898]

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