Evidence for legionary vs auxiliary helmet patterns

[Matthew Amt]

Well, the Mainz column base reliefs and the Croy Hill relief both show clearly that legionaries were wearing Imperial Gallic (or at least Italic) helmets. But of course those don't show whether they were iron or brass!

Pieces of iron Imperial-Gallic helmets were found in the Boudican destruction level at Colchester, which was a legionary retirement colony.

Part of the problem may be that very few confirmed legionary sites have been excavated. Lots of auxiliary forts, yes, but most legionary fortresses ended up under major cities! So that could be slanting our data.

Matthew