in Antiquity, the invisibility of the gods. The word is Greek, aorasia, and derived from a priv. and aorao, to see. The opinion of the ancients with regard to the appearance of the gods to men, was that they never showed themselves face to face, but were known from their backs as they withdrew. Neptune assumed the form of Calchas to speak to the two Ajaxes; but they knew him not till he turned his back to leave them, and discovered the god by his majestic step as he went from them. Venus appeared to Aeneas in the character of a huntress; but her son knew her not till she departed from him: her divinity was then betrayed by her radiant head, her flowing robe, and her majestic pace.