10-27-2011, 11:12 AM
I think of them as different than bike helmets, since they are more designed for concussion contact.
A Roman helmet would be good for, spear thrusts, arrows, glancing/partially blocked blows, sword slashes (likely not direct), lower end concussion hits, such as punches and shield hits.
Most helmets were probably 1-1.5mm thick. My Third century Neiderbieber helmet brace with the rivets intact, shows that as a thickness.
In terms of cushioning, the jury is still partially out on that. Some believe that the Later Roman Pilus cap was a form of cushioning, however many later Roman helmets simply had a leather lining inside. What you wore under that is up for debate...
A Roman helmet would be good for, spear thrusts, arrows, glancing/partially blocked blows, sword slashes (likely not direct), lower end concussion hits, such as punches and shield hits.
Most helmets were probably 1-1.5mm thick. My Third century Neiderbieber helmet brace with the rivets intact, shows that as a thickness.
In terms of cushioning, the jury is still partially out on that. Some believe that the Later Roman Pilus cap was a form of cushioning, however many later Roman helmets simply had a leather lining inside. What you wore under that is up for debate...
![[Image: websitepic.jpg]](http://www.roman-artifacts.com/files/websitepic.jpg)
