Macedonian soldier helm ?

[Uther]

Recently this was put forth as a reason for a rusty looking helmet. I was wandering if anyone could shed any light on this thought process, it sounded odd to me. This not my normal time frame of interest.
Basically the question came about concerning maintenance on a steel Corinthian, being worn by person do a Macedonian recreation. It sounds off to me, then again truth is often stranger than fiction.

I also was wandering if anyone knew a good web resource or book resource, that would give me information nn Macedonian officers and the gear they used


Thank you for any help/information that is offered

Uther

"Macedonian Officers, for lack of a better term could ware iron helmets. Iron in this period was more expensive, and only the higher ranking soldiers would be the ones to wear it. In this class of Macedonian soldier. However, it was also thought that there was only one shiny, "silver" helmet worn in such an army, and it was that of the king. So the soldiers who could afford to wear iron helmets, would let them patina, in a way that is unique to iron patina, to indicate that they wore iron helmets. To create this look you would do
periodic re-patina, using a process of water then linseed oil, thus
creating a more consistent look over the whole helmet. then would be achieved if was just rusty"

[Matthew Amt]

Wow, no offense, but that sounds ridiculous! Where did that quote come from?

EVERY ancient reference to armor describes it as bright and shining, and color illustrations show it as white/silvery or yellow/gold. I have never heard of any ancient soldier or warrior wearing rusty or patinaed armor, in fact they often used tinning, silvering, and gilding to make them brighter and rust-resistant. However, if there is an actual ancient source that specifically says that someone would let their armor degrade in that way, I will cheerfully eat my words! I have heard of an original Greek reference to rubbing one's armor with oil, but it was to keep it SHINY, not to make it look rusty! That's the general effect of oil, by the way.

I'm also not sure I believe that there was much in the way of distinction between officers and grunts. Those who could afford to wear more glitz and glitter would do so, though it is certainly true that most officers would be the wealthier men. Since the idea was to shine like a god, it just doesn't seem likely that anyone would avoid being as shiny as another man!

Iron most likely came into use because it was CHEAPER and far more available than bronze, though it should be noted that bronze continued as the primary material for armor and helmets well into the Hellenistic era.

I have never seen any example of an original Corinthian helmet in iron, so strictly speaking a steel reproduction is incorrect. (In my jargon, lack of evidence means it's "incorrect", while evidence makes it "correct".) Furthermore, the Corinthian helmet was long out of fashion by the Macedonian era, so a wealthy man would wear a Thracian style helmet or some other spiffy style (generally bronze but not always!), while the grunts mostly wore pilos or bell helmets.

I hope that helps! Khaire,

Matthew[/i]

[Dienekes_Hoplite]

Check out my helmet.:

[Uther]

I assure you no offence taken, as I said this not my normal time frame of interest. Most books I own at this point center on the crusades.

The quote is a edited from a email list, for a group I am in, it was sent out as fact. I had made a soft observation on previous occasion that the information was odd and offered that this was not a view commonly shared by those who do Greek/Macedonian recreation. Basically are you sure you about this, why don’t you just take care of your gear like everyone else. The quote was part of the reply that was sent to correct me. I would rather not see others fallow his lead in this, if it is not factual. I have since decided to check my facts, I was not clear about them myself. I am a big fan of Greek history in general and wanted to have a better source than the short over views I had read on Greek armies. None of it really added up to me, and hey it got me reading so it is not all bad. I might even do a Greek kit this year.

thx
Uther

[Na Saighdiuir]

Great gear Dienekes,you too Comerus!!That is quite a tan by the way!!Now,who to give my laudes to??Hmmmm

[Giannis K. Hoplite]

You SOLD it,Gioi??? hock: I excuse you only if you did so to buy the ear corinthian :!: :?:

[Strategos]

Nice Helmets!
@Dienekes: Your helmet reminds me of one, that i have seen in the movie Alexander, where did you get it? Was is build just for you? Its simply great........
Kind regards
Strategos

[Dienekes_Hoplite]

Thank you guys!

Yes , My Phrygian helmet is the same as the ones in the movie "Alexander".
I love it.!.

It's been made from a friend just for one order.

[Kallimachos]

Well if you are sharing pictures here, than I would like to show off too :-) )

[Dienekes_Hoplite]

Hey Comerus Gallus Romus.
Here we are : Greaves from Hoplitikon , Kopis and Corintian Helmets fron Deepeeka, Spears and buttheads from armae and greek manufacturer, Cuirass from Norton , Shields from greek manufacturer, handmade kopis and swords from greek manufacturer.
I will ask for more information about the helmet. 8)

[Dienekes_Hoplite]

great gear Kallimachos.
Simply awesome.

[Kallimachos]

Thanks a lot Dienekes.