Posts: 45
Threads: 16
Joined: Aug 2007
Reputation:
0
This photo is depicting a parade of Sassanian warriors which was held in Iran.
Is there evidence of Sassanian warriors ever using this peculiar type of helmet?
Is there a book in which this helmet is mentioned or depicted?
I don't know if there's a depiction of this helmet in the Montvert book 'Sassanian armies'. If so, can anyone scan the depiction for me please?
Thanks
Philip
Philip van Geystelen
Posts: 205
Threads: 16
Joined: Dec 2001
Reputation:
0
I believe these helmets are based on a warrior depicted on a 6th century silver dish. I don’t believe there is any archeological evidence for any such helmet. In fact, as far as Sassanian helmets go, there’s often a considerable disconnect between surviving artistic depictions and archeological examples. But hey, look at the bright side. The Arsacid dynasty lasted for what, 450 years? And there isn’t a SINGLE Parthian helmet in the entire archeological record.
Posts: 329
Threads: 22
Joined: Jun 2007
Reputation:
2
Quote:This photo is depicting a parade of Sassanian warriors which was held in Iran.
Is there evidence of Sassanian warriors ever using this peculiar type of helmet?
Is there a book in which this helmet is mentioned or depicted?
I don't know if there's a depiction of this helmet in the Montvert book 'Sassanian armies'. If so, can anyone scan the depiction for me please?
Thanks
Philip
I've been looking for photos of that parade for ages!
Can I ask where you got it from?
Ian (Sonic) Hughes
"I have described nothing but what I saw myself, or learned from others" - Thucydides, Peloponnesian War
"I have just jazzed mine up a little" - Spike Milligan, World War II
Posts: 4,029
Threads: 90
Joined: May 2005
Reputation:
0
The 70s "2000 years of Persian civilization" that was done by the Sach of Iran. Does anybody knows where to download this thing?
Kind regards
Posts: 1,028
Threads: 20
Joined: Nov 2005
Reputation:
0
Those cavalrymen are quite clearly reconstructed from a gilded silver plate from Kulagysh in Sassanian Khurasan. Nicolle in Sassanian Armies said that some parallels for the headgear could be found in 9th and 10th c. ceramics from Islamic Khurasan, but he also speculated that the shape could be symbolic.
Strangely enough, the depiction is of two infantrymen, identically armoured, fighting against each other, one with bow and the other with spear. However, it looks like the reconstructionists reached the torso and just kind of gave up- the helmets and coifs match the figures on the bowl quite closely, but whereas they wear knee-length cuirasses made of rows of rectangular plates, the men from the parade wear what look like knee-length leather jerkins with some round metal plates sewn on.
Ruben
He had with him the selfsame rifle you see with him now, all mounted in german silver and the name that he\'d give it set with silver wire under the checkpiece in latin: Et In Arcadia Ego. Common enough for a man to name his gun. His is the first and only ever I seen with an inscription from the classics. - Cormac McCarthy, Blood Meridian
Posts: 73
Threads: 4
Joined: Jan 2009
Reputation:
0
The illustration in Nicholle`s book (page 59) shows that warrior`s cheek guards are folded up. An interesting idea due the helmet`s construction. So it might have been of known conical Spangenhelmet construction.
Gäiten
a.k.a.: Andreas R.
Posts: 73
Threads: 4
Joined: Jan 2009
Reputation:
0
Interesting.
Given the adorning headgear Iranian warriors were to put on their helmets I wonder if that could have been something like that (maybe representing the sun?).
I remember the winged helmet in Osprey`s “Sassanian Elite Cavalry” for an Asavaran of the Pushtighban Royal Guards and the (ceremonial) helmgear of the noblemen shown in the relief of Shapur I triumph in Bishapur.
The idea of helmets with horns I think is especially interesting.
Quote:I would supplement it with even more ridiculous supposition made by Raspopova that these elements were of practical value and did not allow the blows to slide on shoulders Yeah - great success let's place the whole energy inside the scull...
That might have been the reason why no helmet of that type did survive
Gäiten
a.k.a.: Andreas R.
Posts: 73
Threads: 4
Joined: Jan 2009
Reputation:
0
Agreed, however, they are very informative.
Gäiten
a.k.a.: Andreas R.
Posts: 73
Threads: 4
Joined: Jan 2009
Reputation:
0
I see the displayed contemporary Romans as very incorrect, but the Sassanians too?
Especially the costumes are interesting. Where do you see the mistakes?
Gäiten
a.k.a.: Andreas R.