Editing Pluto (mythology) (section)

=== The helmet of invisibility ===
The ''[[Bibliotheca (Pseudo-Apollodorus)|Bibliotheca]]'' of Pseudo-Apollodorus uses the name ''Plouton'' instead of ''Hades'' in relating the tripartite division of sovereignty, the abduction of Persephone, and the visit of Orpheus to the underworld. This version of the theogony for the most part follows Hesiod (see [[#Hesiod's Theogony|above]]), but adds that the three brothers were each given a gift by the [[Cyclopes]] to use in [[Titanomachy|their battle against]] the [[Titan (mythology)|Titans]]: Zeus thunder and lightning; Poseidon a [[trident]]; and Pluto a helmet ''(kyneê)''.<ref>Pseudo-[[Apollodorus of Athens|Apollodorus]], ''[[Bibliotheca (Pseudo-Apollodorus)|Bibliotheca]]'' 1.1–2, 1911 [[Loeb Classical Library]] edition, translation and notes by [[J.G. Frazer]].</ref>

The helmet Pluto receives is presumably the magical [[Cap of invisibility|Cap of Invisibility]] ''(aidos kyneê)'', but the ''Bibliotheca'' is the only ancient source that explicitly says it belonged to Pluto.<ref>Hansen, ''Classical Mythology'', p. 182. Apparent references to the "helmet of Pluto" in other authors, such as [[Irenaeus]] ([https://books.google.com/books?id=fyUMAAAAIAAJ&q=%22helmet+of+Pluto%22 ''Against Heresies'']), are misleading; "Pluto" is substituted by the English translator for "Hades."</ref> The verbal play of ''aidos'', "invisible," and ''Hades'' is thought to account for this attribution of the helmet to the ruler of the underworld, since no ancient narratives record his use or possession of it. Later authors such as [[Rabelais]] (16th century) do attribute the helmet to Pluto.<ref>[[Rabelais]], ''[[Gargantua and Pantagruel]]'' Book 5, Chapter 8.</ref> [[Erasmus]] calls it the "helmet of Orcus"<ref>[[Erasmus]], ''[[Adagia]]'' 2.10.74 ''(Orci galea)''.</ref> and gives it as a [[figure of speech]] referring to those who conceal their true nature by a cunning device. [[Francis Bacon]] notes the proverbial usage: "the helmet of Pluto, which maketh the politic man go invisible, is secrecy in the counsel, and [[wikt:celerity|celerity]] in the execution."<ref>[[Francis Bacon]], ''Essays Civil and Moral'' 21, "Of Delays."</ref>