The Montefortino helmet was a type of Celtic, and later Roman, military helmet used from around 300 BC through the 1st century AD with continuing modifications. This helmet type is named after the region of Montefortino (''

frazione A ''frazione'' (plural: ) is a type of subdivision of a ''comune'' (municipality) in Italy, often a small village or hamlet outside the main town. Most ''frazioni'' were created during the Fascist era (1922–1943) as a way to consolidate territ ...

'' of

Arcevia Arcevia is a '' comune'' in the province of Ancona of the region of Marche, central-eastern Italy. History According to tradition, Arcevia originates from a Gallic settlement anterior to the Roman conquest of Italy; following that, it became ...

) in

Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical ...

, where a Montefortino helmet was first uncovered in a Celtic burial. ( see the original one)

Description

Montefortino helmets are generally characterized by a conical or round shape with a raised central knob, and a protruding neck guard as well as cheek plates to protect the sides of the head. Other common features include a "rope"-type pattern around the edge, and "pinecone"-type patterning on the crest knob. Note that the classifications are those used by archaeologists, rather than Celts or Romans, who, if they did distinguish among these types, have left no known record of the terms they used. In the

Roman Republic The Roman Republic ( la, Res publica Romana ) was a form of government of Rome and the era of the classical Roman civilization when it was run through public representation of the Roman people. Beginning with the overthrow of the Roman Ki ...

, the Montefortino helmet was the first stage in the development of the '' galea'', derived from Celtic helmet designs. Similar types are to be found in Spain, Gaul, and into northern Italy. Surviving examples are generally found missing their cheek pieces (probably because they were made of a perishable material which has not survived, e.g., leatherRoman Military Equipment. Protective Equipment - Roman Helmets: Montefortino type helmets.
/ref>) though a pair of holes on each side of the helmet from which these plates would have hung tend to be clearly identifiable, and examples which do include cheek pieces show clearly how these holes were used. Roman versions sometimes contain inscriptions of the name of the soldier who wore the helmet. Earlier helmets in the type are generally more decorated, as the Republican legions were composed of levied men who paid for their own equipment. As the Roman army moved into the huge period of growth during the

Marian reforms The Marian reforms were reforms of the ancient Roman army implemented in 107 BC by the statesman Gaius Marius, for whom they were later named. The reforms originated as a reaction to the military and logistical stagnation of the Roman Republic i ...

at the end of the 2nd century BC, cheap, undecorated but effective helmets needed to be mass-produced for the mainly poor legionaries.

Sub-types

* Canosa * Rieti: This type was the first to evince inscriptions identifying them clearly as Roman. * Buggenum, circa 1st Century BC: These simple and practical helmets clearly belong to the Montefortino type and are thought to have been used during the time of Caesar contemporaneously with the Mannheim sub-type of

Coolus helmet The Coolus helmet (named for Coolus, France) was a type of ancient Celtic and Roman helmet. It was typically made in bronze or brass and, like the Montefortino type with which it co-existed, was a descendant of Celtic helmet types. The expla ...

. The neck guards of this type are wider, and the crest knobs tend to be hollow in contrast to the solid ones of the earlier types. * Hagenau, circa 1st Century AD: These hybrid helmets still show the typical shape of Montefortino helmets, but the neck guard becomes substantially wider, and some incorporate a reinforcing strap across the brow, as well as a carrying hook or handle at the back.

External links

Roman CoinsLegio XXIV

Notes

References

* Roman Numismatic Gallery: Roman Coins, Sculpture, Military Equipment (http://www.romancoins.info/Content.html) {{DEFAULTSORT:Montefortino Helmet 300s BC establishments 1st-century disestablishments Combat helmets Ancient Roman helmets