Posts: 4,227
Threads: 176
Joined: Mar 2003
Reputation:
172
Another bizarre cavalry helmet - an image from from the Exploratio site:
(site asks not to link direct to images so here are some 'directions'!)
[url:11oomqaw]http://exploratio.org/image_database/exploratio.htm[/url] - left sidebar, go to 'Helmets 1' and it's about halfway down...
Can anyone explain what's going on with that crest? It looks rather like a Christian crown of thorns... :?
Nathan Ross
Posts: 1,086
Threads: 72
Joined: Nov 2004
Reputation:
0
Interesting.
Could that be this particular artist's interpretation of one of the coronae? The 'spikes' look a little like leaves.
Der Kessel ist voll Bärks!
Volker Bach
Posts: 85
Threads: 3
Joined: Apr 2005
Reputation:
0
It would most likely not be a crown of thorns due to the fact that the state religious views did not change to tolerate Chritianity until the Late Empire. The first edict by Galerivs is from around 311.
With that in mind I would interpret it as a diadem of stars with the emperor at the center of these.
Carlton I would say not a laurel as they "leaves" don't appear in the manner of a laurel
Valete,
Owain/Cicero
a.k.a. Dave Kufner
QUI DESIDERAT PACEM PRAEPARAT BELLUM
<a class="postlink" href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Segontium/">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Segontium/
Posts: 330
Threads: 2
Joined: Jan 2003
Reputation:
2
This helmet is also in Robinson, The Armour of Imperial Rome, p. 98, plate 269-271. The crown of thorns is in reality a wreath of oak en laurel leaves; each 'thorn' consisting of an oak leaf flanked by two laurel leaves.
drsrob a.k.a. Rob Wolters
Posts: 8,090
Threads: 505
Joined: Jan 2005
Reputation:
0
Quote:it would make more sense to model them sideways and 'star-shaped'
But they do look quite intimidating as they are, which may have been the point (excuse unintended pun).
Jim/Tarbicus
TARBICvS/Jim Bowers
A A A DESEDO DESEDO!
Posts: 191
Threads: 13
Joined: Apr 2005
Reputation:
0
It is probably a dona, or decoration, won by the helmet's owner, and probably a Corona Civica, awarded to a soldier who preserved the life of a Roman citizen in battle, slew his opponent, and maintained the ground on which the action took place. It was made of oak leaves and acorns.
Pascal Sabas