11-01-2018, 05:08 PM
Have you read the Seventh part of Cestus by Iulianus Africanus which is reputed to have been written in the 3rd century in the wake of the rise of the Sassanian power in the east? He writes about the arms and armour of the Romans. It is a conundrum to him that the Greeks under Alexander defeated the Persians and the Greeks in turn were defeated by the Romans but that the Romans in his day had never defeated the Persians. He explores this conundrum in terms of Roman military equipment and goes into detail regarding the Roman infantry helmet.
It is within this period that the old Imperial Gallic variants fade out and the newer ridge helmets begin to replace them perhaps echoing Iulianus Afrianus' insights. You should in particular read section F12 onwards, page 35 in my copy for his thesis. It makes interesting reading and would give you a valuable insight into one Roman's thinking in that period regarding helmet design in relation to mounted opponents.
It is within this period that the old Imperial Gallic variants fade out and the newer ridge helmets begin to replace them perhaps echoing Iulianus Afrianus' insights. You should in particular read section F12 onwards, page 35 in my copy for his thesis. It makes interesting reading and would give you a valuable insight into one Roman's thinking in that period regarding helmet design in relation to mounted opponents.
Francis Hagan
The Barcarii
The Barcarii
