Montefortino helmet
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Development of the legionary helmet or galea |
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| Montefortino - Coolus – Imperial (Imperial Gallic / Imperial Italic) |
The Montefortino Helmet was a type of Roman helmet of the Roman republican period named after Montefortino. It was the first stage in the development of the galea, derived from Celtic helmet design. Similar types are to be found in Spain, Gallia, into northern Italy. They are all mostly found without cheek pieces (either because they had none, or because they were only made of leather). Later Montefortino helmets are the first helmets proven to be of Roman origin, particularly through inscriptions found on them (mostly the names of the soldiers who owned them). Earlier helmets in the type are generally more decorated since, as the Roman army moved into the huge period of growth in the Marian reforms at the end of the 2nd century BC cheap, undecorated but effective helmets needed to be mass-produced for the mainly poor legionaries.
