09-05-2011, 10:02 PM
Quote: When you have need of money you look elsewhere. I am thinking that this situation lead to a change in Roman production of arms and armour. The ridge helmets could, being produced in small parts that were assembled later, represent a much cheaper helmet that the Imperial Gallic types which were produced by one smith over a longer period of time.
It would have been a gradual process allowing the Augst helmet to date to the 280s without a need for a total introduction across the Empire.
This is very plausible and generally seen in other periods of exhausting wars as well. I would add lack of resources and time to the money-problem. It can be tricky to draw parallels, but I recall the German and Soviet armies in WW II. Towards the end of the war the beautiful and protective but very elaborate designs of both armies equipments evolved to much simpler and less protective designs.
By the way; I also love the helmet from Theilenhofen; in my opinion it is the best infantry-helmet ever designed in the empire. It is plain, but very protective and esthetically pleasing.
