Masked helmets

[Anonymous]

Surely it doesn't so much matter how often you'd really take a blow to the face, as how concerned the wearer might be about it. Remember Caesar's order at Pharsalus to aim at the faces of the Pompeian cavalry? The instinct is to shy away from or block a blow to the face, probably more than with other blows. Face-masks might have more moral than physical benefits but still be worthwhile. <p></p><i></i>

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info Paulus. I kind of suspected the existence of padding, for the practical reasons stated above.<br>
As for blows in the face, I guess it can be considered that "rarely" is at least once too many times, since we're not dealing with boxing with padded gloves, but with sharpened objects and missiles going from sword to stones, slingshot, arrows and so on.<br>
The cavalrymen seem to have worn face masks more often than infantry and that could be explained by the fact that being on horseback, they stood out and made an easier target for missile troops.<br>
That could also explain the --possible-- use of face masks by standard bearers, whose function was basically to stand firm while the fighting went on around them.<br>
Ever since the first standards were carried in battle, the standard bearer made a very tempting target. <p></p><i></i>

[Vincula]

Quote:</em></strong><hr>what's the point of the mask anyway?<hr><br>
They're goddam scary, for one thing! <p></p><i></i>

[Anonymous]

They were used as parade masks, very unusefull in the battle. <p></p><i></i>

[Jeroen Pelgrom]

there are several "parade-helmets" found with clear battle markings so apparently they where also used in combat-situations.<br>
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<p>-------------------------------------------------------<br>
Rome did not create a great empire by having meetings -- they did it by killing all those who opposed them.<br>
<br>
<br>
</p><i></i>

[mcbishop]

<em>there are several "parade-helmets" found with clear battle markings so apparently they where also used in combat-situations.</em><br>
<br>
Ummm, in the case of cavalry sports equipment, it would be interesting to know how one distinguishes between damage sustained in battle and that received during vigorous cavalry exercises ;-)<br>
<br>
Mike Bishop <p></p><i></i>

[Anonymous]

After two thousand years you never know what happend to the object during its history in the soil.<br>
As some kind of small cuirasses they were worn in parades which sometimes had competition part. I am sorry for my english. <p></p><i></i>

[Anonymous]

A mask PLUS both cheek guards. Iron with bronze plating.<br>
Magnificent..<br>
Very, very expensive too..<br>
www.antiqueo.com/artefacts/roman/romanparadehelmet.html <p></p><i></i>

[Anonymous]

I seem to recall some column or other (or was it the Notitia?) showing a helmet with a mask, NOT being worn. In other words, the mask was attached directly to the helmet. But can I find it. . . ? <p></p><i></i>

[richsc]

That company, I note, has a specific area for auctioning Roman military artifacts. Is it a reputable dealer? I see the mask sold ! <p>Legio XX<br>
Caput dolet, pedes fetent, Iesum non amo<br>
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</p><i></i>

[Crispvs]

And have that mask and and its accompanying cheek guards ever been published anywhere? It seems that these Kalkriese type masks are popping up all over the place (there was another in the second Guttmann collection auction) but I have never seen a proper write up of any, apart from the one Robinson featured. At times I fear that the eighteenth century habit of looting objects and selling them for private display to people who thought that possession in some way equalled intelligence is now completely out of control and that 'reputable' auction houses do little more than stimulate destruction and ignorance. Perhaps Celer might have something to say here.<br>
<br>
Crispvs<br>
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Crispvs <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p200.ezboard.com/bromanarmytalk.showUserPublicProfile?gid=crispvs>Crispvs</A> at: 9/2/04 7:34 pm<br></i>