During Classical Antiquity, helmets were an important part of a warrior’s panoply. Visually compelling, yet undeniably utilitarian these are the different types of Ancient Greek helmets found throughout the Mediterranean.
Illyrian type Helmet, 450-20 BC, Horigi-Vaphiohori, northern Greece, (left); with Corinthian type Helmet, 525-450 BC, possibly the Peloponnese (center); and Attic type Helmet, 300-250 BC
The Ancient Greeks were, from the Archaic to the Hellenistic period, famous for their armor. Few soldiers or warriors went into battle as heavily armored as did the Ancient Greeks. While their panoply changed over the centuries, there was one piece of armor which remained ubiquitous; the Ancient Greek helmet. The Ancient Greek helmet evolved over time to meet the needs of the battlefield and appeal to the taste of those who wore them. Examples of Greek helmets in Classical Antiquity range the fabulously elaborate to the plain and simple. Yet, all ultimately served the same utilitarian purpose; providing protection on the battlefield.
Kegel: The “Original” Ancient Greek Helmets
Kegel type Helmet, 750-00 BC, probably Southern Italy (left); with Repaired Kegel type Helmet, 780-20 BC, near Argos (right)
While helmets certainly existed during the Bronze Age, too few have survived to establish a comparative typology with the possible exception of Boar Tusk helmets. As such, the earliest Ancient Greek helmet well-represented in the archaeological record is the Kegel type, which emerged during the Geometric period at the end of the Greek Dark Age. These helmets appear to have originated in the Peloponnese, possibly somewhere near the city of Argos. Examples of Kegel helmets have been found in the Peloponnese, Apulia, Rhodes, Miletus, and Cyprus. Kegel type helmets appear to have fallen out of use sometime after the end of the Eighth Century BC.
Kegel type Helmet, 780-20 BC, Argos, Greece (left); with Kegel type Helmet, 750-00 BC, probably Southern Italy (right)
Ancient Greek helmets of the Kegel type were constructed out of several bronze segments. These segments were separately cast and then bent and riveted together. It was a laborious process, which also resulted in a relatively weak final product. Kegel type helmets were liable to bursting apart at the seams if struck by an enemy. These helmets also exhibit two distinct stylistic trends. The first, and most common, is a pointed crown section where a high crest was attached. The second has a rounded dome, with tall elaborate zoomorphic crest holders. Kegel helmets of this style have, to date, only been excavated in Apulia.
Illyrian: The Open-Faced Ancient Greek Helmets
Illyrian type Helmet, 535-450 BC, Trebenista, Macedonia (left); with Illyrian type Helmet, 450-20 BC Horigi-Vaphiohori, northern Greece (right)
Attempts to overcome the deficiencies of the Kegel type helmet resulted in two new types of Ancient Greek helmet. The first of these was the Illyrian type which emerged in the Seventh Century BC. These helmets also appear to have originated in the Peloponnese but were popular throughout the Mediterranean world, as they were a popular trade good. Examples have been excavated in Greece, Macedonia, the Balkans, the Dalmatian coast, the Danubian region, Egypt, and Spain. Outside of the Peloponnese, Macedonia was a major producer of Illyrian helmets. The Illyrian type of Ancient Greek helmet began to fall out of use during the Fifth Century BC as it was replaced by newer, more versatile, designs.
Illyrian type Helmet, 600-550 BC (left); with Illyrian type Helmet, 480-00 BC (right)
Ancient Greek helmets of the Illyrian type featured a large opening for the face and prominent fixed cheekpieces. These helmets always had a quadrangular opening for the face, featured no curvature for the mouth or eyes, and lacked any type of nose guard. They also featured parallel raised lines that formed channels running from the front to the back of the helmet, that were designed to accommodate a crest.
These helmets are further divided into three distinct types. The first type of Illyrian helmets were made of two separate pieces which were then riveted together. Once Illyrian helmets began to be cast as one piece a second type soon emerged. This type featured a swooping neck guard, elongated cheek pieces, and a more pronounced crest channel. The third type was much simpler in form than its predecessors. These helmets no longer featured a riveted border, and the neck guard became more angular and abbreviated; this was a streamlined design.
Corinthian: The Archetypal Helmets Of Classical Antiquity
Corinthian: The Archetypal Helmets Of Classical Antiquity
The other type of Ancient Greek helmet which developed from attempts to overcome the deficiencies of the Kegel type was the Corinthian type. The Corinthian helmet was also developed in the Peloponnese during the Seventh Century BC. These Ancient Greek helmets quickly spread throughout the Mediterranean world during Classical Antiquity and have been excavated in Greece, Italy, Sicily, Sardinia, Spain, Serbia, Bulgaria, the Crimea, and Crete. They were perfectly suited for hoplites fighting in the phalanx formations that characterized warfare in Greece. Corinthian helmets were very popular during Classical Antiquity and became closely associated with Greece, Greek culture, and hoplites. As such, the iconic Corinthian helmet was often depicted in art. In his Histories, Herodotus was the first to use the term “Corinthian helmet,” although it is not certain that he was referring specifically to this type of helmet. Corinthian helmets remained in use for nearly three hundred years, falling out of fashion by the end of the Fifth Century.
Corinthian type Helmet, 550-00 BC (left); with Corinthian type Helmet, 525-450 BC, possibly the Peloponnese (right)
Corinthian type Ancient Greek helmets are characterized by their distinctive almond-shaped eyeholes, prominent nose guard, and large cheek pieces which are never rounded or hinged, and cover the entire face. The overall impression of the Corinthian helmet is one of theatrical menace. Early Corinthian helmets were made of two pieces riveted together, with the seam running along the circumference of the helmet. They also included rivet holes for attaching a liner. The second type of Corinthian helmet added an abbreviated swooping or angular neck guard at the back. The rivet holes also shrunk or were done away with at this point, and the cheek pieces now flared outward slightly.
In the first decades of the Sixth Century BC, the Corinthian helmet achieved its classical form. It was now cast so that it was more bulbous around the upper part while the lower edge flared slightly. The lines for the face were more carefully thought out and delineated. Most notably, the openings for the eyes were elongated at the ends, giving them their distinctive almond appearance. Corinthian helmets were very popular and were produced over a long period of time in many distinct regional workshops, so that many styles exist.
