110. Aegis

 

Kyle and Emily take a ride to the Aegean Sea and Ancient Greece, exploring the divine and danger-filled history of the word aegis.

Our hosts run through a number of uses for this word, encompassing not just a literal shield but figurative protection, guidance, support, and endorsement. Aegis may have come from some strange cross-section of goats and storms… But the real meat and potatoes of this episode lies in Greek mythology.

This humble shield (or goatskin? or lightning bolt?) has been used to protect Zeus, Athena, and more against terrible foes such as Medusa. But aegis still has some uses today, in everywhere from naval protection systems to the video game Hades.

 
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111. Quiddity

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109. Malinger