Ribchester helmet, Roman copper alloy ceremonial helmet
The Ribchester helmet is a late 1st-early 2nd century ceremonial copper alloy helmet discovered in Ribchester, UK, as part of the large Ribchester Hoard. Copper alloy cavalry helmet with face-mask visor. Decorated with a scene of a skirmish between infantry and cavalry. Fittings for a crest-box and a pair of trailing streamers survive on the head-piece.
In 1796 a clogmaker's son, playing behind his father's house in Ribchester, Lancashire, discovered a mass of corroded metalwork. This proved to be a hoard of Roman military equipment, mainly cavalry sports equipment and military awards.
The helmet would have been worn by an elite trooper in the colorful cavalry sports events known as hippika gymnasia, which were flamboyant displays of military horsemanship and weapons drill. They served both as training sessions and to entertain the troops. The most colorful events were mock battles among the élite riders of the unit, often in the guise of Greeks and Amazons. Both men and horses wore elaborate suites of equipment on these occasions. The helmet, decorated with a scene of a skirmish between infantry and cavalry, is the most spectacular piece. When used, the head-piece and face mask of embossed bronze would be held together by a leather strap. A crest-box and a pair of trailing streamers or 'manes' would have been attached to the head-piece.
British Museum (1814,0705.1)
Photographed at the British Museum exhibition ‘Legion: Life in the Roman Army’.
Ribchester helmet, Roman copper alloy ceremonial helmet
The Ribchester helmet is a late 1st-early 2nd century ceremonial copper alloy helmet discovered in Ribchester, UK, as part of the large Ribchester Hoard. Copper alloy cavalry helmet with face-mask visor. Decorated with a scene of a skirmish between infantry and cavalry. Fittings for a crest-box and a pair of trailing streamers survive on the head-piece.
In 1796 a clogmaker's son, playing behind his father's house in Ribchester, Lancashire, discovered a mass of corroded metalwork. This proved to be a hoard of Roman military equipment, mainly cavalry sports equipment and military awards.
The helmet would have been worn by an elite trooper in the colorful cavalry sports events known as hippika gymnasia, which were flamboyant displays of military horsemanship and weapons drill. They served both as training sessions and to entertain the troops. The most colorful events were mock battles among the élite riders of the unit, often in the guise of Greeks and Amazons. Both men and horses wore elaborate suites of equipment on these occasions. The helmet, decorated with a scene of a skirmish between infantry and cavalry, is the most spectacular piece. When used, the head-piece and face mask of embossed bronze would be held together by a leather strap. A crest-box and a pair of trailing streamers or 'manes' would have been attached to the head-piece.
British Museum (1814,0705.1)
Photographed at the British Museum exhibition ‘Legion: Life in the Roman Army’.