What did the Roman helmet crest mean?
The crests were mainly used to distinguish the wearer’s rank, the centurions (officers) wore them as a symbol of their status and to make them look taller and more intimidating. Roman legionnaires wore their crest pointing forward while centurions had transverse crests facing sideways.
What is the crest of a Roman helmet called?
Some of the helmets used by legionaries had a crest holder. The crests were usually made of plumes or horse hair.
Why did Roman soldiers wear helmets?
A metal helmet with cheek pieces protected the head. This was designed to prevent sword blows from penetrating the helmet and causing head injuries. The rear of the helmet had a guard that protected the neck from sword blows.
What was Roman helmet made of?
These helmets were mainly made of iron with recesses for the ears and brass decoration including small circular bosses on the helmet and the cheek pieces.
How are the crests attached to a Roman helmet?
The crests were joined to the Roman helmets by a central support called a crest block or plume holder. Later Roman helmets were designed with an iron band running the whole length of the helmet from front to back with a gap to insert the crest.
What kind of helmet did the Roman legionary wear?
The Roman legionary, unlike most of his opponents, could depend upon a set issue of uniform kit, including a stout metal helmet called a galea. The design of the helmet evolved through time, the Romans were great improvers, and they were made for different ranks and to meet different threats.
What kind of helmet did a centurion wear?
Modern reconstruction of a centurion helmet, first century. Notice the embossed eyebrows and the circular brass bosses typical of the Imperial Gallic helmets. A galea was a Roman soldier’s helmet. Some gladiators, myrmillones, also wore a bronze galea with a face mask and a decoration, often a fish on its crest.
Are there any similarities between helmets and Roman helmets?
There are similarities of form and function between them. H. Russell Robinson in his book The Armour of Imperial Rome, published in 1975, classified into broad divisions the various forms of helmets that were found.
