What helmet is this? (please help :)

[Merlkir]

Luckily real late Roman helmets have a great visual impact, as demonstrated by the new Miks book.

what book is that if I may ask?

As for visual impact, yes, it definitely looks great. I was hoping to use it in my illustration of Arthur based on B.Cornwell's Arthurian books.

[Peter Raftos]

Any ideas what influence could make the byzantines wear a masked helmet like this one?

A theory put to me was that these visors are for the crews operating "Greek Fire" siphons but I have no evidence to support this.

[Nieczar]

"A theory put to me was that these visors are for the crews operating "Greek Fire"..."

yeah, I know this hipothese ,but I don't know any evidences for this also

...but in my opinion it's very possible

[Urselius]

The face masks, I think there were the remains of more than one, were found on the site of the Great Palace in Constantinople (Istanbul). The remains were found in association with at least one coin of Manuel I (1143-1180).

Interestingly, in Choniates chronicle (written soon after 1206 - English trans. by H. Magoulias as "O City of Byzantium," page 54), Manuel himself is described as having his "visor" shattered in battle. In 1151 he was campaigning against the Hungarians and: "a man [Hungarian leader] of heroic stature and brawny arms who struck a blow that shattered the iron screen dependent from the helmet that protected the emperor's face and eyes."

Of course a great deal depends on the original Greek and the accuracy of translation, but only a plate visor would shatter, a mail face-covering camail could be riven or split but not "shattered."

Oh! - I should say that the emperor then cut off the arm of his opponent, Manuel was a skilled fighter, and obviously capable of a fast recovery from a heavy chop to the face. hock:

[Nieczar]

THANX A LOT FOR ARTICULATE ! D D

...maybe You 've some more interesting materials and information about this?

...maybe You 've some better pictures or drows of these masks?

it'll be great

[Merlkir]

I've found the pictures that originally made me curious

[ioannes sebald]

Hi,Merlkir ? .

[John Conyard]

In the riders defense let me point out he will not be a re-enactor, but a rider bought in for an English Heritage event. He'll be wearing whatever he finds in the back of a van. The early spatha looks rather good. The mail shirt needs some padding underneath it. The saddle is proabably made in a mould and cast from resin. But the mould would have been made using a leather saddle with a wooden frame. The resin saddles look OK at a distance, but the horns break easily. The saddle is missing the brest and breaching straps. The overall effect aimed for is of an "Arthurian" horseman of the 6th century. Or at least one interpretation of such a horseman.

[ioannes sebald]

I must point out that i was not being critical of the rider,rather of those who should have noticed the"problem"from the outset,given some organisations views on accuracy and authenticity,i'll bet if i turned up at an event in 4th Century kit and donned an Imperial Gallic helmet then somebody would say something quickly enough,even if because i'd forgotten to bring my own.

[John Conyard]

Ah, well there you have a good a point. It comes down to the client/event organiser or the group to ensure quality. Often the organiser doesn't know or understand what "quality" is, and has to rely on the group involved. Or not.

I was in no way intending a criticism of your earlier posts, and apologise if I affended in any way.

[fasta]

I must point out that i was not being critical of the rider,rather of those who should have noticed the"problem"from the outset,given some organisations views on accuracy and authenticity,i'll bet if i turned up at an event in 4th Century kit and donned an Imperial Gallic helmet then somebody would say something quickly enough,even if because i'd forgotten to bring my own.

It would be an interesting question to put to the event manager for EH if they are still doing that job :wink:

[ioannes sebald]

Don't worry about it,no offence was taken .