Late Roman crested helmet

Late Roman crested helmet
Information
Weapon type:	Protective weapon
Designations:	Crest helmet
Use:	helmet
Working time:	2nd hand 3rd to 5th century AD (Westrom)
Region of origin / ; author:	Roman Empire , armourers
Distribution:	Roman Empire
Lists on the subject

Late Roman soldier with a crested helmet (hobby reconstruction)

The Late Roman crested helmet ( tight. Ridge Helmet ) may have been from an originally Sasanian helmet type of late antiquity developed. However, this exclusively non-European influence has already been called into question in the past. An inspiration from the Balkans would also be possible. Thracian and thrako- Getic traditions have produced similar helmets.

Related forms that developed from the Roman crested helmets are the Scandinavian Vendel helmets , which were widespread in the British Isles and Scandinavia until the early Middle Ages .

history

Roman crested helmets appear for the first time on the coins of Constantine the Great , but were probably used by the Roman army as early as the end of the 3rd century and were part of the basic military equipment in the western Roman sphere of influence until its end, alongside the clasp helmets and the field cap (Pilleus Pannonicus) .

The segment helmet of Persian origin from Dura Europos represents a special form, which is very similar in design to Roman crested helmets, but differs significantly from them mainly due to its high arched shape. The helmet was found in 1932/1933 during a Franco-American excavation campaign in a tunnel created by miners under a tower of the city fortifications. In addition to the skeletons of Roman soldiers, the remains of a Sassanid warrior were found, to whom this helmet apparently belonged. Since the tunnel was dug in the course of the siege under the Persian ruler Shapur I (240 / 42–270), the 4.15 kg heavy helmet can be dated to around 250 AD.

When exactly the crested helmets were introduced into the Roman army cannot yet be determined, but it stands to reason that the introduction of the new helmet type with the army reform that took place in the 3rd century AD during the reign of Emperor Diocletian (284-305 ) to reconcile. The British archaeologist Simon James has published extensive information on this topic.

The crested helmet broke with a tradition of the Roman army that had prevailed for many centuries, which was based on Greco-Italic-Celtic models. While the helmet shell was previously made from one piece of metal, the new head protection was created from two or more segments that were riveted together. A crest running along the top of the head, with a low or high crest rounded towards the top, gave the helmet its modern name. This model also includes a circumferential browband attached to the lower edge of the helmet. With the exception of very early versions, the modified cheek flaps were no longer attached to the dome with hinges. The manufacturers have now achieved this connection with the help of the helmet lining and seams. The shortened neck protector was also no longer rigidly connected to the canopy, but attached to the actual helmet as a separate, movable piece of metal by straps. A clear feature of this helmet was also the nose protection, which now appeared again in the Roman military for the first time in around 700 years. In addition to the comb helmet, the Spangenhelm emerged as a further design at the same time .

In contrast to the older models used by the Roman military, the new helmet shape was a massive step down in terms of the demands on the construction. However, that did not mean that inferior material was generally used. As James suggests, the simplified manufacturing technology had economic and operational reasons that were rooted in the devastating imperial crisis of the 3rd century . The manufacture of equipment, which until then had largely been done by private producers, came to a standstill due to permanent inflation, among other things . Ongoing wars and civil wars, in which the army units were worn out, required large quantities of quickly available weapons. As a result of this chaotic situation, the arms industry passed into state hands in the second half of the third century. The great need for military goods and economic reasons led to a strong rationalization of production methods. It was due to the necessary mass production that demanding manufacturing processes were now dispensed with. In the case of the comb helmets, the time-consuming driving of homogeneous domes was no longer necessary and after a short time the companies also stopped manufacturing hinges.

In their search for an inexpensive but effective helmet shape, the military in charge may have resorted to older Eastern types. As the above-mentioned example from Dura-Europos testifies, helmets of a similar design were produced in the Persian region even before the Romans. The helmets adapted to the Roman needs and demands differ significantly from the oriental types, so that the Roman crested helmet can be assumed to have developed independently. His role models may still be in the east.

description

The dome of the Roman crested helmet consists of two parts, which are held together in the middle of the helmet by a metal bracket (or comb) running from the back of the head to the forehead. It is usually made of iron and often has a nasal (nose protection). In contrast to the helmets of the earlier imperial era, the cheek flaps and the neck protection are not fastened with hinges, but are connected to the helmet lining or to the dome with cords.

A number of crested helmets have a low crest, but some with a higher and high metal crest have also been found. In a stylized form, the tall version most likely imitates the helmet combs originally made of horse hair from the early and middle Imperial Era. These metal combs are documented by found objects as well as late antique wall paintings, carvings and stone monuments. On the front of the combs from later production there could be a round fitting as a forehead plaque, which showed the Christ monogram. In the past, some of the items exhibited in museums today may not have been recognized as having had a higher comb disc.

With the exception of one find from the Hunnic grave of Conceşti in Romania ( Botoşani district ), all late antique crested helmets were found on former Roman territory. The helmet from Conceşti is one of the youngest representatives and dates from around 400. According to the external appearance, three types are distinguished, which are named after known sites:

Dunapentele / Intercisa type
Berkasovo-Deurne type (see Deurne helmet )

The late Roman army brought the crested helmet with them to Germania and Britain , as evidenced by numerous finds, sometimes decorated with engravings or even precious stones (but mostly glass imitations).

gallery

Comb helmet from Augsburg-Pfersee , type Deurne-Berkasovo (Augsburg)
Combed helmet from near Berkasovo, Serbia , type Deurne-Berkasovo (Berkasovo I)
Combed helmet from near Berkasovo, Serbia , type Deurne-Berkasovo (Berkasovo II)
Combed helmet from near Jarak, Sremska Mitrovica , Serbia , type Deurne-Berkasovo
Combed helmet from Deurne , Netherlands, type Deurne-Berkasovo (Deurne)
Combed helmet from Dunaújváros , Hungary , type Dunapentele / Intercisa (Intercisa 2)
Heavily reconstructed crested helmet with a high comb disc and Christ monogram from Kessel, Limburg, Netherlands, type Dunapentele / Intercisa

literature

Simon James: Dura-Europos and the Introduction of the "Mongolian Release" . In: M. Dawson (Ed.): Roman Military Equipment. The Accoutrements of War . British Archaeological Reports, (= International Series 336), 1987.
Simon James: The Fabriccae: State Arms Factories of the Later Roman Empire . In: JC Coulston (Ed.): Military Equipment and the Identity for Roman Soldiers . British Archaeological Reports, (= International Series 394), 1988.
Daniel Studer: Early history Kammhelme from the Canton of Ticino and the wider Southeastern European area - a factor in the development of the late Roman Kammhelme? In: Helvetia Archaeologica 21, 1990, pp. 82-126.
Simon MacDowall: Late Roman Cavalryman. 236-565 AD. (Weapons, armor, tactics) (= Osprey Military. Warrior Series 15). Color Plates by Christa Hook. Osprey, London 1995, ISBN 1-85532-567-5 .
Peter Wilcox: Rome's enemies. Volume 3: Parthians and sassanid Persians (= Osprey Military. Men-at-arms Series 175). Reprinted edition. Color Plates Angus McBride. Osprey, London 1997, ISBN 0-85045-688-6 .
Hermann Born: Riding helmets from Iatrus / Krivina, Bulgaria - on the technique of late Roman iron helmets with gold-plated silver and copper sheet covers . In: Acta Praehistorica et Archaeologica 31, 1999, pp. 217-238.
Hermann Born: Project proposal for the technological investigation of late Roman crested and early medieval buckle helmets . In: Acta Praehistorica et Archaeologica 35, 2003, pp. 81-89.
Laszlo Kocsis: "Intercisa" type helmets in Pannonia . In: From Augustus to Attila. Life on the Hungarian Danube Limes. Exhibition catalog (= writings of the Limes Museum Aalen 53), Theiss, Stuttgart 2000, ISBN 3806215413 , pp. 37–40.
John Warry: Warfare in the Classical World. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Weapons, Warriors, and Warfare in the Ancient Civilizations of Greece and Rome. Repronted edition. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman OK 2004, ISBN 0-8061-2794-5 .
Mahand Vogt: Spangenhelme. Baldenheim and related types (= catalogs of prehistoric antiquities. Vol. 39). Verlag des Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum, Mainz 2006, ISBN 3-88467-100-6 .
Christian Miks: Late Roman crested helmets with a high crested disc . In: Yearbook of the Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum Mainz 55, 2008, pp. 449–482.
Christian Miks: From showpiece to scrap metal. A depot of late Roman helmet parts from Koblenz . Book accompanying the exhibition in the Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum, 2008, (= mosaic stones 4), Mainz 2008, ISBN 3884671308

Web links

Commons : Late Roman Crested Helmet - Album with pictures, videos and audio files

Information on Sassanid Warriors (in English)

Remarks

^ Daniel Studer: Early history of comb helmets from the canton of Ticino and the wider Southeastern European area - a factor in the development of the late Roman comb helmets? In: Helvetia Archaeologica 21, 1990, pp. 82-126; here: p. 113.
^ Daniel Studer: Early history of comb helmets from the canton of Ticino and the wider Southeastern European area - a factor in the development of the late Roman comb helmets? In: Helvetia Archaeologica 21, 1990, pp. 82-126; here: p. 112; Marcus Junkelmann : The riders of Rome, part III: accessories, riding style, armament , von Zabern, Mainz 1992, ISBN 3-8053-1288-1 , p. 201.
^ Daniel Studer: Early history of comb helmets from the canton of Ticino and the wider Southeastern European area - a factor in the development of the late Roman comb helmets? In: Helvetia Archaeologica 21, 1990, pp. 82-126; here: p. 118.
^ Simon James: Dura-Europos and the Introduction of the "Mongolian Release" . In: M. Dawson (Ed.): Roman Military Equipment. The Accoutrements of War . British Archaeological Reports, (= International Series 336), 1987; The same: The Fabriccae: State Arms Factories of the Later Roman Empire . In: JC Coulston (Ed.): Military Equipment and the Identity for Roman Soldiers . British Archaeological Reports, (= International Series 394), 1988.
^ ^A ^b Marcus Junkelmann : The riders of Rome, Part III: Accessories, riding style, armament , von Zabern, Mainz 1992, ISBN 3-8053-1288-1 , pp. 199-200.
^ Christian Miks: Late Roman crested helmets with a high crested disc . In: Yearbook of the Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum Mainz 55, 2008, pp. 449–482.
↑ Marcus Junkelmann: The riders of Rome, part III: accessories, riding style, armament , von Zabern, Mainz 1992, ISBN 3-8053-1288-1 , pp. 200-201.
↑ Marcus Junkelmann: The riders of Rome, part III: accessories, riding style, armament , von Zabern, Mainz 1992, ISBN 3-8053-1288-1 , p. 201.
^ Christian Miks: Late Roman crested helmets with a high crested disc . In: Yearbook of the Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum Mainz 55, 2008, pp. 449–482; here: pp. 449, 457–459, 476.

[1] Daniel Studer: Early history of comb helmets from the canton of Ticino and the wider Southeastern European area - a factor in the development of the late Roman comb helmets? In: Helvetia Archaeologica 21, 1990, pp. 82-126; here: p. 113.

[2] Daniel Studer: Early history of comb helmets from the canton of Ticino and the wider Southeastern European area - a factor in the development of the late Roman comb helmets? In: Helvetia Archaeologica 21, 1990, pp. 82-126; here: p. 112; Marcus Junkelmann : The riders of Rome, part III: accessories, riding style, armament , von Zabern, Mainz 1992, ISBN 3-8053-1288-1 , p. 201.

[3] Daniel Studer: Early history of comb helmets from the canton of Ticino and the wider Southeastern European area - a factor in the development of the late Roman comb helmets? In: Helvetia Archaeologica 21, 1990, pp. 82-126; here: p. 118.

[4] Simon James: Dura-Europos and the Introduction of the "Mongolian Release" . In: M. Dawson (Ed.): Roman Military Equipment. The Accoutrements of War . British Archaeological Reports, (= International Series 336), 1987; The same: The Fabriccae: State Arms Factories of the Later Roman Empire . In: JC Coulston (Ed.): Military Equipment and the Identity for Roman Soldiers . British Archaeological Reports, (= International Series 394), 1988.

[Junkelmann_1992_199-5] A ^b Marcus Junkelmann : The riders of Rome, Part III: Accessories, riding style, armament , von Zabern, Mainz 1992, ISBN 3-8053-1288-1 , pp. 199-200.

[6] Christian Miks: Late Roman crested helmets with a high crested disc . In: Yearbook of the Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum Mainz 55, 2008, pp. 449–482.

[Junkelmann_1992_200−201-7] Marcus Junkelmann: The riders of Rome, part III: accessories, riding style, armament , von Zabern, Mainz 1992, ISBN 3-8053-1288-1 , pp. 200-201.

[Junkelmann_1992_201-8] Marcus Junkelmann: The riders of Rome, part III: accessories, riding style, armament , von Zabern, Mainz 1992, ISBN 3-8053-1288-1 , p. 201.

[9] Christian Miks: Late Roman crested helmets with a high crested disc . In: Yearbook of the Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum Mainz 55, 2008, pp. 449–482; here: pp. 449, 457–459, 476.