01-21-2007, 04:48 PM
All evidence for transverse crests comes from the 1st century (and from the 5th century BC). As I stated elsewere, I think centuriones ceased wearing crests when the common legionaries did. Otherwise they would have been too conspicious. Conversely I am of the opinion that all legionaries wore crests in battle before the adoptions of cross braces.
Vegetius says that the transverse crests were part silvered. I think that he is confused and it's actually the helmets that are part silvered. The Niedermörnter helmet of the 2nd century AD and the Nijmegen helmet (aux cav H) have very similar silvering and neither has a crest.
On top of that the Niedermörmter helmet has the name of the legion and that of it's owner on the peak, but not the centuria. This would be apt only for centurions. Senior ranks would only be temporarily assigned and junior ranks would allways be on the rolls of a centuria.
Therefore I propose the Niedermörmter helmet (not in the Deepeeka version, because that has no silvering or other decoration).
Vegetius says that the transverse crests were part silvered. I think that he is confused and it's actually the helmets that are part silvered. The Niedermörnter helmet of the 2nd century AD and the Nijmegen helmet (aux cav H) have very similar silvering and neither has a crest.
On top of that the Niedermörmter helmet has the name of the legion and that of it's owner on the peak, but not the centuria. This would be apt only for centurions. Senior ranks would only be temporarily assigned and junior ranks would allways be on the rolls of a centuria.
Therefore I propose the Niedermörmter helmet (not in the Deepeeka version, because that has no silvering or other decoration).
drsrob a.k.a. Rob Wolters
