Mannheim (helmet)

Mannheim (helmet)
Information
Weapon type:	Protective weapon
Designations:	Mannheim type
Use:	helmet
Working time:	First half of the 1st century to the end of the 1st century
Distribution:	present-day Italy and northeastern France
Lists on the subject

The Mannheim helmet type is part of the military equipment of the Roman legions and aid units . It was named after the discovery of a bronze helmet, which was recovered from a gravel pit in the late 19th century.

history

The Mannheim helmet type only had a short term. It originated in the first half of the 1st century BC. And came out of use again in the same century.

The earliest datable specimen comes from a shipwreck that was found off the French Mediterranean coast near Madrague de Giens. Lamps and coins found in this wreck can be traced back to around 70 BC. To be dated. A Montefortino helmet also comes from the wreck . Apparently in the 1st century BC Both types used in parallel.

The current locations of helmets of this type are mainly in Italy and northeastern France . The dating and location of the sites could indicate a possible connection between the helmet and Caesar's campaigns .

Helmet shape

The helmet consists of a hemispherical dome and a narrow, horizontal neck shield.

Whether this type of helmet also had cheek flaps is currently still being discussed. There are two opinions in research on this: Marcus Junkelmann is of the opinion that the cheek flaps would be omitted completely, as the helmets do not have the hinge grommets typical for cheek flaps. However, Thomas Fischer is of the opinion that helmets of this type must have had cheek flaps, as some helmets have holes to which cheek flaps could be attached, for example with leather straps or wire, and there is no plausible reason why one suddenly switched to a well-tried protective device should have waived.

A helmet pommel such as the helmet type Montefortino owned could not be proven.

Altogether two forms of this helmet type can be defined: A "light" form with a weight of approx. 500-800 g and a smooth dome rim, as well as a "heavy" form with a weight of approximately one kilo and a thickened and decorated dome rim. Last but not least, the eponymous first find, which is in excellent condition due to the preservation conditions, also counts. This copy is decorated with ornamental ribbons on the edge.

literature

Karin von Welck, Reinhard Stupperich (Ed.): Italy before the Romans: From the antique collection of the Reiss Museum Mannheim . Philipp von Zabern, Mainz 1996, pp. 64-65
Thomas Fischer: The army of the Caesars: archeology and history. 2nd updated edition. Verlag Friedrich Pustet, Regensburg 2014, ISBN 978-3-7917-2413-3 , p. 143.
Astrid Bongartz: Studies on Roman helmets: Studies on the finds of Roman infantry and cavalry helmets from the end of the republic to the 3rd century AD Cologne 2013, p. 20 ( uni-koeln.de ).
Marcus Junkelmann: The Legions of Augustus. 15th thoroughly revised and expanded edition. Herbert Utz Verlag, Munich 2015, ISBN 978-3-8316-4304-2 , p. 242.
Thomas Fischer: The army of the Caesars: archeology and history. Verlag Friedrich Pustet, Regensburg 2012, ISBN 3-7917-2413-4 , p. 143.
Ulrich Schaaff: Antique helmets. Collection Lipperheide and other holdings of the Antikenmuseum Berlin . Ed .: Bottini et al. Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum, Mainz 1988, ISBN 978-3-88467-019-4 , p. 322.

Web links

Image of the eponymous find from Mannheim

Individual evidence

↑ ^a ^b Thomas Fischer: The army of the Caesars: Archeology and history . 2nd updated edition. Friedrich Pustet, Regensburg 2014, ISBN 978-3-7917-2413-3 , pp. 143 .
↑ ^a ^b ^c ^d Astrid Bongartz: Studies on Roman helmets: Investigations on the finds of Roman infantry and cavalry helmets from the end of the Republic to the 3rd century AD Cologne 2013, p. 20 ( uni-koeln.de ).
↑ Marcus Junkelmann: The Legions of Augustus . 15th, thoroughly revised and expanded edition. Herbert Utz Verlag, Munich 2015, ISBN 978-3-8316-4304-2 , p. 242 .
↑ Thomas Fischer: The army of the Caesars: Archeology and history . Verlag Friedrich Pustet, Regensburg 2012, ISBN 3-7917-2413-4 , p. 143 .
↑ Ulrich Schaaff: Antique helmets. Collection Lipperheide and other holdings of the Antikenmuseum Berlin . Ed .: Bottini et al. Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum, Mainz 1988, ISBN 978-3-88467-019-4 , p. 322 .

[:0-1] Thomas Fischer: The army of the Caesars: Archeology and history . 2nd updated edition. Friedrich Pustet, Regensburg 2014, ISBN 978-3-7917-2413-3 , pp. 143 .

[:1-2] Astrid Bongartz: Studies on Roman helmets: Investigations on the finds of Roman infantry and cavalry helmets from the end of the Republic to the 3rd century AD Cologne 2013, p. 20 ( uni-koeln.de ).

[3] Marcus Junkelmann: The Legions of Augustus . 15th, thoroughly revised and expanded edition. Herbert Utz Verlag, Munich 2015, ISBN 978-3-8316-4304-2 , p. 242 .

[4] Thomas Fischer: The army of the Caesars: Archeology and history . Verlag Friedrich Pustet, Regensburg 2012, ISBN 3-7917-2413-4 , p. 143 .

[5] Ulrich Schaaff: Antique helmets. Collection Lipperheide and other holdings of the Antikenmuseum Berlin . Ed .: Bottini et al. Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum, Mainz 1988, ISBN 978-3-88467-019-4 , p. 322 .