Roman Use of the Attic Helmet

[Celtic505]

Why go to the trouble of making such elaborate and beautiful pieces such as the Guisborough helmet (which I consider to be an Attic Helm) or the embossed hair cavalry helmets, (which look to be evolved or based on Attic types) and not actually make the real thing, yet depict it on all of your art? I know the Romans did some crazy things and were masters at propaganda but it just seems as though they would not consistantly use the same helmet it their military imagery without them ever being in use by soldiers. Is there any other items in Roman military imagery and sculpture which is thought to be artistic convention? Officers and high ranking soldiers had to have worn some kind of helmet during combat, as everything about their dress was to show their rank and status, I can't picture an officer putting on a montefortino or imperial gallic helmet, like the rest of his men, to me it seems most likely that an attic helmet, or attic-like helmet such as Cavalry types were used, with crests to show their rank or maybe even Italo-Corinthian helmets. Just my opinions.