Crista Transversa

[caiusbeerquitius]

I think you have to ask yourself if the T. Calidius Severus helmet would have had a crest that ran so far forward to almost meet the brow, and each half, front to back, would be so symmetrical. I feel otherwise, and it would be shorter at the front than the back.

I think this can hardly be answered. If the helmet were displayed like this to show the crest, although it actually would have run front-back, then it would probably be like this for symmetry, sculptor´s choice...

You are right in saying that there are no found transverse crest holders AFAIK, but that wouldn't be too surprising given the legionary/centurion ratio IMHO. The waters can also be muddied by every helmet found with gilding or tinning is suddenly attributed to having belonged to a centurion, whereas there might never have actually been any officer helmets found at all, for all we know (that said, one of you out there is bound point to a helmet with a centurion inscribed as the owner )

I don´t say that, I was just repeating what Obmann says. I just thought I start a discussion, since on the one hand his arguments are plausible, on the other hand one also can make good points FOR the crista transversa.

MY thought would be that the epigraphical sources are more or less useless, since they are too much inspired by hellenistic imagery (read in that context "Soldiers and Ghosts", which may help following my thoughts), repeating e.g. also the greaves-and-sword-motive over and over again, at least for the greaves we have no further evidence...
including helmets.
If there were an actual helmet which could support the theory, I´d rather believe that it is right.
the helmet named above could be such an object, a thick silver dcoration and such even further supporting the theory of an officer´s item.
Pics would be great here...