06-19-2018, 10:37 AM
Hello all!
So through some discussion on an 'International Hoplite Discussion Group' on Facebook, something very fascinating has been brought to my attention; namely that the Greek Attic helmet, (as we know it of course) is being, or has been, questioned for some time as ever having been used by Greek infantry proper.
To my understanding, this position stems from the fact that not a single Attic helmet to date has been excavated on Greek soil itself. From what I heard, they have been pulled up elsewhere; Italy, in use by Romans and massively by Samnites, but despite some depictions on Greek pottery that appear to show it, not a single archaeological find in Greece has been of the so-called 'Attic' helmet.
Is this true? Would anyone happen to know more about this matter? What has been out methodology prior to this knowledge, of accounting for what helmets were and were not used; because like many others I have been taught and told that 'Attic' helmets were in use by Greek soldiery for quite some time. Some have even gone so far as to say it was particularly popular in Athens, and that it came to be used much more going into the Hellenistic era, where lighter, open designs became more popular.
But like others, I had been convinced that this is a fact by such repeated statements and notions. Generally speaking, I believe that as far as evidence goes, the best is Archaeological artifacts being found, the second would be very trustworthy contemporary sources, (as Ancient writers are not all beyond fault and fiction), and then comes imagery.
Using that method, it would appear that Attican helmets only exist in the third tier? Or perhaps I am mistaken. Which is why I'm asking, I suppose. I was told it exists in the same place as the Dipylon shield, which some claim may be artistic convention. Granted, there are definitely existing Attic helmets, only I hear not a single one of them is from Greek origin. Are the pottery depictions the sole reason we even consider them a Greek invention?
In any case, I own this book and recall reading about it here first. https://imgur.com/qMEqtnW It states a Greek origin, and that the Greek colonies of Southern Italy favored it especially.
In regards to depictions, I am told there is some inevitable conversion in the consideration of helmet names. Namely, the Chalkideon and Attic tend to be almost synonymous names for what I'm seeing here. I have yet to really fully understand why/which to use.
https://imgur.com/aZW8tam
https://imgur.com/aepAcfg
https://imgur.com/cnlLLHn
https://imgur.com/Hp1IQn4
https://imgur.com/4QdORsx
https://imgur.com/MPoYKjJ
https://imgur.com/IetS5Hc
So through some discussion on an 'International Hoplite Discussion Group' on Facebook, something very fascinating has been brought to my attention; namely that the Greek Attic helmet, (as we know it of course) is being, or has been, questioned for some time as ever having been used by Greek infantry proper.
To my understanding, this position stems from the fact that not a single Attic helmet to date has been excavated on Greek soil itself. From what I heard, they have been pulled up elsewhere; Italy, in use by Romans and massively by Samnites, but despite some depictions on Greek pottery that appear to show it, not a single archaeological find in Greece has been of the so-called 'Attic' helmet.
Is this true? Would anyone happen to know more about this matter? What has been out methodology prior to this knowledge, of accounting for what helmets were and were not used; because like many others I have been taught and told that 'Attic' helmets were in use by Greek soldiery for quite some time. Some have even gone so far as to say it was particularly popular in Athens, and that it came to be used much more going into the Hellenistic era, where lighter, open designs became more popular.
But like others, I had been convinced that this is a fact by such repeated statements and notions. Generally speaking, I believe that as far as evidence goes, the best is Archaeological artifacts being found, the second would be very trustworthy contemporary sources, (as Ancient writers are not all beyond fault and fiction), and then comes imagery.
Using that method, it would appear that Attican helmets only exist in the third tier? Or perhaps I am mistaken. Which is why I'm asking, I suppose. I was told it exists in the same place as the Dipylon shield, which some claim may be artistic convention. Granted, there are definitely existing Attic helmets, only I hear not a single one of them is from Greek origin. Are the pottery depictions the sole reason we even consider them a Greek invention?
In any case, I own this book and recall reading about it here first. https://imgur.com/qMEqtnW It states a Greek origin, and that the Greek colonies of Southern Italy favored it especially.
In regards to depictions, I am told there is some inevitable conversion in the consideration of helmet names. Namely, the Chalkideon and Attic tend to be almost synonymous names for what I'm seeing here. I have yet to really fully understand why/which to use.
https://imgur.com/aZW8tam
https://imgur.com/aepAcfg
https://imgur.com/cnlLLHn
https://imgur.com/Hp1IQn4
https://imgur.com/4QdORsx
https://imgur.com/MPoYKjJ
https://imgur.com/IetS5Hc
