Legionary Equipment During Reign of Marcus Aurelius

[Nathan Ross]

For the years 161-166(so pre-Marcommanic War), would it have been the Imperial Italic G or H?

The Italic G is the Hebron helmet, probably dating to the Bar Kokhba revolt of AD132-135. We have no way of knowing whether it was an old or new design at the time, but I would say it could be safely assumed to be current for the first half of the second century.

The Italic H is the Niedermörmter. One of the two found examples has an inscription to a man from Legio XXX Ulpia Victrix - this dates the helmet post Trajan, by whom this legion was founded. I have seen a suggestion that the missing pia fidelis title, granted in AD196-7, must date it prior to this, but the omission might not be significant.

So the H is more probably later 2nd century (Antonine), while the G is earlier (Hadrianic). However, Roman helmet designs might not fall into such a neat chronology as we usually like to imagine!