It would have been considerably easier to form a human-shaped face mask out of bronze than out of iron. Given that the cavalry sports display was just that, a display, and the face masks were presumably primarily for visual effect, and at worst were only expected to protect against light, blunted javelins, then bronze would have been sufficient.
For a Roman armourer to go to the considerable labour to produce a face mask in iron suggests that it was intended to perform a serious protective function.
When your say 'bronze', could it be that you mean to say 'brass', which is much more easily worked than bronze. Brian could correct me here but I was under the impression that bronze is much more difficult than iron to work, unless you are casting the item, which I seriously doubt would be the case with any helmet masks.
Crispvs
Who is called \'\'Paul\'\' by no-one other than his wife, parents and brothers. :!: <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_exclaim.gif" alt=":!:" title="Exclamation" />:!:
There are masks that are cast and of the same style as we now find to be considered as Kalkriese types that are small without ears and these could well have been used in battle by a standard bearer,
However the Kalkriese itself is made of iron but may well have been a cavalry sports type in its earlier life then later altered for the above purpose as a few others look to have been. Then as Crispvs has mentioned brass would be a much better metal to work than cast bronze or copper alloy that is of course from my own experiences.
Sorry to revive this old thread but I found it quite interesting to read and I'm sorry I didn't see it while it was "fresh".
Nobody it seems has brought up the point of how intimidating a shiny face mask would appear in battle. I know when I do museum presentations many people get an eerie feeling looking at the helmet with mask attached. I'm sure it would have a very similar effect in battle.
"The evil that men do lives after them;
The good is oft interred with their bones"
Jay.
I think that the intimidation of these helmets when viewed in ancient times may well have been for the Hippica Gymnasia rather than battle where an audience would be excited by them in the performance, whereas on the battle field there would always be someone who was ready to smash your face mask in with his great club and not really intimidated at all however I do agree with your point concerning various events that you give where the modern public do become impressed.
Thanks Brian. There was always someone wanting to smash your face with a club in battle...mask or not
I agree, the entertainment value of a masked horseman is through the roof, but I also think it would be a fearful sight in battle, especially when fighting against people's not acquainted with Roman tactics and equipement. People were very superstitious.
Did cavalry cohorts have a mounted signifer? I can't seem to find any reference to them.
"The evil that men do lives after them;
The good is oft interred with their bones"
Jay.
I think one of the best examples of a cavalryman as a signifier is the grave stone of Flavinus of the Ala Petriana in Hexham Abbey a couple of miles south of Hadrian's Wall, I get the impression that he may have been an imagnifer for it could represent a picture of an Emperor for I don't think it is Sol.
Here's a closer photo of Flavinus and his standard
[attachment=12266]PIC_0437.JPG[/attachment]
Moi Watson
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, Merlot in one hand, Cigar in the other; body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO HOO, what a ride!
Moi.
Thank you for the better picture and I now begin to wonder can the image indeed be that of Sol however those spokes tend to go almost all round so Emperor maybe.
Isn't there also something to consider in the old adage "one can never be too well dressed when the cannon roar". During the Napoleonic wars if battle was considered likely troops would don full uniform/plume etc in honour of the occasion. Being a snappy dresser has always been a military trait.
Jay.
Thank you for that coin and you may just be correct on that point very much a coin from the second Triumvirate would I be right in saying Octavian post Actium due to the IMP , however I must stand corrected it is indeed Marc Antony it is was the title IMP that fooled me here is a better one.
[attachment=12270]RSC_00121.jpg[/attachment]
