04-14-2005, 01:07 AM
The original d is a bit shallower. Some of them have the eagles and temples riveted instead of soldered, which is wrong. Some of the earlier ones lack the correct "steps" in the neckguard, and have ridges instead, but other Imperial type helmets have these too. The Italic E from nearby Hofheim probably was decorated like the D, and another D type cheekpiece was found in Mainz, so this style of helmet may have been fairly common. The style was apparently popular, because the Gutmann Niedermormter helmet seems derived from the "D" style helmets, as does another of this style from Morrocco. I have a theory that these may have been originally intended for the Praetorian Guard, which I will ealaborate on in my next Roman book.
Dan
Dan
