This was critical during this period as many Roman citizens were called upon to serve in the army. Both helmets were likely adopted by the Romans because their simple design meant that they could be mass-produced cheaply. ![]() Like the Montefortino helmet, which it resembles, the Coolus Roman helmet was also Celtic in origin. Montefortino style Roman helmets are very similar to the Coolus style of Roman helmets so that they are often grouped together in modern classification systems.Ĭoolus: Caesar’s Helmet Coolus helmet, 1st Century CE, via the British Museum ![]() Often the name of the soldier who wore the helmet was inscribed inside of it. Most finds are missing their cheek guards, which has led to speculation that they may have been made of some sort of perishable material. It also featured a protruding neck guard and cheek plates which protected the side of the head. It is characterized by its conical or rounded shape and a raised central knob on top of the helmet. The Montefortino was made most commonly from bronze, but iron was also occasionally used. This helmet came into use sometime around 300 BCE and saw service into the 1st Century CE. As with many other types of Roman helmet, it originated with the Celts. This means that the earliest type of Roman helmet that can easily be identified as such is the Montefortino type. Though it would be a mistake to assume that Roman soldiers did not wear helmets during those periods. This makes identifying and classifying distinctly Roman helmets of the Roman Kingdom and the Early Republic rather difficult. 3rd Century BCE, via the British MuseumĮarly Roman helmets tended to borrow their designs and styles from the various Italiotes, Etruscans, and other peoples of the Italian Peninsula. Some models have flat scales, some were curved, tin was added to the surface of some scales in some shirts, possibly as a decorative touch.Montefortino: The Longest Serving Roman Helmet Montefortino helmet, ca. Hundreds of thin scales made of iron or bronze were sewn to a fabric shirt. Lorica squamata was a scale armour used by Roman soldiers which looked like the skin of a fish. Its abandonment is more likely due to its cost and high maintenance needs than any superior alternative, a man wrapped in lorica segmentata was well prepared for battle. It is regularly found, but contemporary illustrations suggest it may have been limited to the legions – the best heavy infantry. A padded undershirt could remove some of the discomfort. Hinges, tie-rings and buckles were made of brass.Īlthough big and heavy to wear, lorica segmentata packed up neatly. ![]() Sometimes the iron plates were case hardened to present a front face of tougher mild steel. It was made of iron hoops fixed to leather straps. Shoulder guards and breast and back plates added further protection.ĭan Snow visits Colchester Museum to find out more about the ‘Decoding the Roman Dead’ archaeological project. It came in two semi-circular sections that were laced together to enclose the torso. Lorica segmentata was probably the most protective and most recognisable armour of the Roman period. While the Roman army was marked for its uniformity of equipment, soldiers bought their own, so richer men and elite units would have the best gear. Scale armour seems to have been used from the late Republican period for some classes of troops. ![]() The hooped armour was expensive to produce and heavy it was used from around the start of the Empire into the 4th century. Mail was durable and was used almost throughout Roman history as Roman soldier’s armour. The Romans used three types of body armour: a hooped arrangement called lorica segmentata scaled metal plates called lorica squamata, and chain mail or lorica hamata. Listen Now What armour did Roman soldiers wear? Historian and archaeologist Simon Elliott discusses the Classis Britannica, Rome's regional fleet that patrolled the shores around Britannia.
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