08-26-2008, 11:41 PM
LS,
I would like to open this topic to create a SCIENTIFIC debate about the Roman helmets (facemasks or not) which are almost always classified as
Cavalry Auxilia helmets.
Okay provided the helmets are found in a strict Cavalry setting, they could be classed as such.
But for instance the Kops Plateau helmets, as well as several other helmets which were found, to me look much more like higher class officer's helemts than Auxilia Cavalry (batavian, germanic, Gallic) helmets. Also since the Kops plateau helmets were found in a mixed setting as well as a very large praetorium on the site, from the Drusus campaign era.
Also, the higher ranking officers in a Legion were almost always mounted, and also the Legates had their own Cavalry squad supporting/guarding them.
Then why are most scholars always going on about hippika gymnasia helmets, Cavalry was richer than the Legion, and why does no one adhere to the fact that these elaborate helmets, wether or not found in a votive context simply CANNOT be ONLY classed to have belonged to "normal" Cavalry soldiers?
An auxiliary soldiers (cavalryman's) pay did not substantially differ that much to that of the legionaries pay, let alone that of the Higher ranking officers.
So in my view it must be likely or even higly likely that some of the helmets we have found belonged to the highest class of officers, namely those who could afford to ditch a helmet in a votive offering.
I would like all of you to join in this debate to get somewhere.
Either the theory could be discarded or maybe a new view on these helmets can change the view we have on them.
A few examples:
Weiler
http://www.romancoins.info/weiler.JPG
http://www.legionsix.org/cavalryleft.jpg
Nijmegen
http://www.romancoins.info/milit-mask-N.jpg
All typically attic forms of the helmet bowl/neck...
there are a lot of other pics out there but this is just a start...
what are YOUR ideas?
M.VIB.M.
I would like to open this topic to create a SCIENTIFIC debate about the Roman helmets (facemasks or not) which are almost always classified as
Cavalry Auxilia helmets.
Okay provided the helmets are found in a strict Cavalry setting, they could be classed as such.
But for instance the Kops Plateau helmets, as well as several other helmets which were found, to me look much more like higher class officer's helemts than Auxilia Cavalry (batavian, germanic, Gallic) helmets. Also since the Kops plateau helmets were found in a mixed setting as well as a very large praetorium on the site, from the Drusus campaign era.
Also, the higher ranking officers in a Legion were almost always mounted, and also the Legates had their own Cavalry squad supporting/guarding them.
Then why are most scholars always going on about hippika gymnasia helmets, Cavalry was richer than the Legion, and why does no one adhere to the fact that these elaborate helmets, wether or not found in a votive context simply CANNOT be ONLY classed to have belonged to "normal" Cavalry soldiers?
An auxiliary soldiers (cavalryman's) pay did not substantially differ that much to that of the legionaries pay, let alone that of the Higher ranking officers.
So in my view it must be likely or even higly likely that some of the helmets we have found belonged to the highest class of officers, namely those who could afford to ditch a helmet in a votive offering.
I would like all of you to join in this debate to get somewhere.
Either the theory could be discarded or maybe a new view on these helmets can change the view we have on them.
A few examples:
Weiler
http://www.romancoins.info/weiler.JPG
http://www.legionsix.org/cavalryleft.jpg
Nijmegen
http://www.romancoins.info/milit-mask-N.jpg
All typically attic forms of the helmet bowl/neck...
there are a lot of other pics out there but this is just a start...
what are YOUR ideas?
M.VIB.M.
Bushido wa watashi no shuukyou de gozaru.
Katte Kabuto no O wo shimeyo!
H.J.Vrielink.
Katte Kabuto no O wo shimeyo!
H.J.Vrielink.