aetites

Stones which, according to fable, were found in eagle's nests and possessed magical and medical properties. Pliny describes them as stones with another one inside.1 The stones are also mentioned by John Lyly (1578-1580) in his Euphues.

They are also called gagites. Cp. kenne, hyaenia.

❧

The word comes from the Greek aetos, "eagle."

References

Notes

  1. Naturalis Historia x, 4; xxx, 44.

Source

  • Cooper, J.C., ed. (1997). Brewer's Book of Myth and Legend. Oxford: Helicon Publishing Ltd.