07-31-2007, 09:34 PM
I think it is entirely possible that some Byzantine warriors may have worn "kipchaq-style" helmets of this type. After all there were many steppe nomads serving as mercenaries in Constantinople's armies and i suppose it is possible that some of them may have had helmets of this type. Furthermore Roman "cavalry sports helmets" of the 1st-3rd centuries AD had similar face masks and even had a hinge in the middle of the forehead, I suppose it is conceivable (although unlikely) that this type of helmet was revived and updated in the Byzantine period.
Regards,
Hisham
Hisham