11 Famous & Powerful Pieces of Armor in Mythology  [Updated]

Magic and powerful items are common in world mythology. Stories from Greece, Rome, Scandinavia, and other cultures include inanimate objects that assist heroes, gods, and goddesses. 

Armor is one type of magical object that appears in myth and legend. Magical armor is useful for its protective capabilities. Oftentimes, armor in mythology does more than simply protect its wearer. 

As we will see in this article, armor from myths and legends is extremely powerful and allows its wearer to fend off danger and rescue others. 

While traditional pieces of armor make up the bulk of our list, we have also included other powerful objects that were worn on the body. These objects include shoes, belts, and headgear. 

1) Helmet of Hades

The Helmet of Hades, or the Cap of Invisibility, is one of the oldest items in Greek mythology. It was forged by the Elder Cyclopes and given to Hades before the battle against the Titans. 

It is the object associated with Hades. Zeus has his lightning bolt, Poseidon carries a trident, and Hades has a magic helmet. 

The Cap of Invisibility is a cunning device that is first attributed to Hades in the Bibliotheca. The helmet is used by other gods, goddesses, and heroes like Hermes, Athena, and Perseus. 

2) Armor of Achilles

The Armor of Achilles was forged by Hephaestus. Its magic resides in the precious metals used to craft it. The armor is described by Homer as being bronze and decorated with stars. 

The armor is most famously described in an exchange between Achilles and the hero Patroclus. After refusing to fight for the king, Achilles lends his enchanted armor to Patroclus. 

3) Armor of Diomedes

The Armor of Diomedes is worn by the Greek hero of the Trojan War, Diomedes. It was originally crafted for his father Tydeus and blessed by the goddess Athena. After the death of his father, Diomedes inherited the armor. 

According to myth, the Armor of Diomedes is golden and decorated with a boar on the breastplate. 

4) Talaria

Talaria is the name of the winged sandals worn by the messenger god Hermes. They feature in Greek and Roman myths. Made by Hephaestus, the Talaria sandals are gold and imperishable. 

They were first mentioned by Homer as “winged” sandals in “The Shield of Heracles.” 

The sandals allowed Hermes to fly fast to deliver his messages. In one story, Talaria are borrowed by Perseus to slay Medusa.

Although not pieces of armor, these sandals are key objects in many stories and help increase the power of important heroes. 

5) Girdle of Aphrodite

The Girdle of Aphrodite is a belt or breast band worn by the goddess of love. The girdle has the power to create passion in both mortal and immortal beings. 

Although usually worn by Aphrodite, the girdle is sometimes loaned to other goddesses like Hera. This goddess uses the girdle to solve marriage issues. 

The girdle is first mentioned in the Iliad as an embroidered and powerful band. In some artistic portrayals, the girdle is worn around Aphrodite’s chest like a bikini top. 

The Girdle of Aphrodite was a popular object in Baroque and Neoclassical art. 

6) Helmet of Rostam

Rostam is a hero in Persian mythology who is most famous for slaying Div-e Sepid, the chief of demons. Rostam’s stories are recorded in the Shahnameh, a Persian epic poem. 

According to the poem, Rostam wears the head of Div-e Sepid as a helmet. As the mightiest holy warrior in Persian mythology, his helmet has inspired warriors throughout history. 

The design of the Persian kulah khud helmets are based on the demon-head helmet of Rostam. 

7) Babr-e Bayan

Babr-e Bayan is the enchanted coat of the hero Rostam. The coat has the power to resist fire, water, and weapons. It is a fur coat that Rostam wears over his chainmail and plate armor. 

According to some sources, Babr-e Bayan is a heaven-sent item. Other stories claim that Rostam fashioned the coat out of the skin of a dragon he slayed as a teenager. 

Regardless of the coat’s origins, it proves to be an essential item for the fearsome Rostam. 

8) Sigurd’s Mail Coat

Sigurd is a hero of Germanic and Scandinavian mythology and legend. In one famous story, Sigurd slays Fafnir the dragon. He finds a golden coat of mail in the dragon’s hoard. 

9) Örvar-Oddr’s Shirt

Örvar-Oddr is a hero in Scandinavian mythology. He becomes the blood brother of another hero named Hjalmar. 

In one story, Örvar-Oddr wears a magical silken shirt to battle which nothing can pierce. He survives the battle thanks to his shirt, but Hjalmar unfortunately meets his end. 

10) Megingjörd & Járngreipr

Everyone is familiar with Thor’s powerful hammer. However, this god also uses a belt and gloves to fight his opponents. 

Megingjörd is the name of his belt. “Megin” means power and “gjörd” translates to belt. According to some stories, this belt doubles Thor’s strength. 

Thor also wears Járngreipr gloves, which are mentioned in the Prose Edda. These gloves are used to control the magic of Thor’s hammer. 

11) Vidar’s Shoes

Vidar is a god from the generation that survived Ragnarok. He is the son of Odin, who dies during the cataclysmic fight. Odin is killed by the wolf Fenrir. 

Vidar sets out to kill Fenrir and avenge his father’s death. He wears strong shoes that allow him to kick open the jaws of the wolf and kill him.