Helmet covers, or not?

[Felix]

...However
"[3.62] Upon receiving this intelligence, Pompey, who had already formed the design of attempting a sally, as before mentioned, ordered the soldiers to make ozier coverings for their helmets,..."

So perhaps it wasn't common for a cover to be used for the helmet, except in special circumstances? Ozier seems to be some kind of plant (very hard to find reference to) which can be used to make baskets. Therefore, is this use of camouflage, or an added protection as seen next?

Also;
[3.63] "....Besides, the coverings of oziers, which they had laid over their helmets, were a great security to them against the blows of stones which were the only weapons that our soldiers had..."


Cheers.

Osiers are willow twigs or shoots. They are still used in basket making: see http://www.kibseycraft.co.uk/wand.shtml and a picture of the baskets http://www.kibseycraft.co.uk/mixed.htm . So the basketry would not be camoflauge, but the willow might be springy enough to reduce the shock of a thrown rock.

[Tarbicus]

Osiers are willow twigs or shoots. They are still used in basket making

Thanks Felix - mystery revealed But if the twigs broke up the outline of the helmets, and covered the reflective metal, maybe it could still be used as camouflage as Graham pointed to?

The hat on Trajan's column looks curiously Scottish to me.

lol................... hmmmmm. You know, it does resemble a Tam O'Shanter

If you had a four-piece leather dome with a drawstring around the bottom, and a fan section at the back with a tie going underneath the neckguard.....? Or if the neckguard covering had a slot underneath, and the helmet cover were slipped on from the back and over, then secured by the drawstring at brow level.

Ta.

(I know, it's all conjecture. But it's a bit of fun and a helmet would last a bit longer)