Greek helmets galore

[PMBardunias]

I suggest you look without prejudice on some vase-paintings (eg from Euphronios) depicting warriors with upturned helmets and tell me: Wouldn't the pulled back helmet fall down backwards?

This is a learning moment. Many historians and archaeologists look down on reenactors, and there are definite hazards to reenactment, but two minutes with a corinthian would disabuse you of the notion that it cannot be worn pushed back. The beauty of RAT and other sites like it is that there is a meeting of people with diverse backgrounds. See the image below, then watch the video of a fellow, who is probably a member of RAT, going through a whole set of drill exercises with his corinthian pushed up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAjni4Yb ... re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJrUxu2L ... re=channel

Well, I have no doubt that the corinthian helmet in its upturned position was an iconographic fiction.
Fact: The first depictions of the upturned position can be dated around 530 BC.
Fact: The corinthian helmet is ca. two centuries older.
Simple question: Why wasn't the upturned position depicted earlier?

The simplest answer is a trend in artistry. As I said, it is unlikely they fought like this, thus they would pull it down just before combat. Later artists may simply leave them up for the reason you mention, to see the face. That is not the same as creating it de novo.

Also, early corinthians generally had shorter cheek pieces. It is easier to wear it up with longer cheek pieces. So maybe there is a functional explanation as well.