The Crosby-Garrett Helmet

I love these late Roman cavalry helmets. They are, first of all, so contrary to my image of the Roman army that they set me wondering what else might be wrong with my mental pictures of the empire. A parade of mounted men armored and wearing these masks must have been a very arresting site. Because the helmets are rather flimsy, we think they were not worn in battle, but who knows? People have gone into battle in stranger and less useful garb.

This example is the Crosby-Garrett Helmet, found a few years ago by a metal detector enthusiast and just sold at Christie's for $3.6 million. It is one of the few known complete examples, although there are a lot of masks and other fragments around. The image below can be enlarged for a look at the detail.