GLADIATOR HELMETS

Gladiator Helmets

The Gladiator is probably the first thing that comes to mind when ancient Rome is mentioned. That also goes for their prominent and popular Gladiator helmets and weapons.

As most people know, these warriors battled each other or wild animals in Colosseums. This was a popular form of entertainment throughout the Roman world.

Gladiators had different levels and ranks in history. Each of them was distinguished by their armor, weapons, and helmets. For these pieces, these also came in different types and versions.

Gladiators equipped a variety of protective headgear, but most of these stemmed from the galea, a type of gladiator helmet.

The Standard Form

The galea gladiator helmet was classified as an imperial piece. By the end of the Roman Empire, it was the common design utilized for most protective headgear.

Most of the time, these were created using bronze. There were instances when these came with brass trimmings.

The gladiator helmets could be adapted for numerous classes, such as the murmillo. These had entire face covers to protect the user during battles.

Were the Gladiator Helmets Utilized at All Times?

Generally, most gladiators wore helmets for protection. However, there were a few warriors who didn’t wear gladiator helmets as well.

An example would be the retiarius, a term that can be translated as net-fighter or net-man. These warriors didn’t use gladiator helmets and instead armed themselves with tridents, a net, and a dagger.

The retiarius and gladiatrices were exceptions to these types of warriors. Instead of following the norm where gladiators wore helmets, they didn’t equip themselves with it.

Compared to the other gladiators, the retiarius even wore lesser armor. Their protective gear only consisted of a shoulder guard, arm guard, and fabric paddings. With that, these warriors relied greatly on their agility and speed in the arena.

Since that’s the case for these individuals, equipping a gladiator helmet would be a liability on their performance. Hence, the reason why the retiarius didn’t use the helmet.

Another gladiator who didn’t utilize the gladiator helmet was the gladiatrix. They were female gladiators, yet battles involving them were rare. Also, the lack of gladiator helmets was a way to indicate the sex of the warrior in the tournament.

Classifications of Gladiator Helmets

Almost every class of Roman warriors utilized the gladiator helmets.

Here is a classification of the different types of gladiator helmets that were utilized in the past.

The Galea

The galea is a kind of gladiator helmet that features a visor. The gladiators mostly wore it, and these pieces were quite ornate.

Designs of these pieces featured scrollwork and sets that were important to a warrior.

The form and design of these specific gladiator helmets significantly changed over time.

The production was all done by hand, so it isn’t certain if there were any standard forms followed even under the Roman Empire.

Originally, these gladiator helmets were influenced by the Etruscans. They were people who used the Nasua helmets.

The designs of these helmets were also influenced by the Greeks in the South.

Legionaries utilized some galea that featured crest holders.

The crests were often made of horsehair or plumes and were usually colored red.

Additionally, there were likely other crests with different shades like alternating black and yellow, and more.

Gladiators like the samnis and hoplomachus likely used the large-feathered crests

. A couple of evidence exhibit that legionaries had crests positioned lengthwise,

while centurions mounted these transversely.

Centurions likely wore the crests at all times during the Early Empire.

However, the legionaries and centurions from other periods probably only wore these occasionally.

The Cassis

Cassis is a word referring to any helmet made from metal. Although gladiator helmets were produced in various locations, they were all typically crafted out of metal.

This class of gladiator helmet features cheek pieces to protect the wearer’s face. The front of the helmet, specifically about 3-inches from the rim, is a protrusion that secures the forehead. This specific feature was made to prevent sword attacks from penetrating the helmet, causing more damages to the wearer.

The Different Gladiator Helmets

There are a lot of gladiator helmets that sport different styles and designs. However, these styles changed over time. It was due to the improved skills of artisans, along with enhanced technology and more wealth.

Montefortino

The Montefortino is a gladiator helmet that was the earliest forms utilized by the Roman soldiers and armies. This was prominent from the 4th century BC to the 1st century BC.

These pieces were based on a Celtic piece that was originally crafted in Montefortino. These forms of gladiator helmets featured a conical shape and were created out of brass.

The helmets featured a little extension along the rear and functioned as the neck guard. These usually featured attachable plume holders along the helmet’s crown.

Our helmets

Coolus Helmet

The Coolus helmets were utilized from around the 3rd century BC until the 1st century AD. These types of gladiator helmets were based on the Gallic helmet produced in the Coolus district of Marne.

This protective gear was crafted out of bronze or copper alloys. Its bowl sported a rounded shape with a pronounced neck guard. Also, you’ll find a huge angular cheek piece for increased protection.

Most of this type of gladiator helmets had a simple spike that was a plugged in crest holder or plume.

Imperial Gallic Helmets

The Imperial Gallic helmets were used from the late 1st century BC until the early 2nd century BC. They were based on the helmets utilized by the Gauls.

Compared to other earlier gladiator helmets, the Imperial Gallic helmets were more ornate and featured embossed brows. These closely followed the shape of the wearer’s head with the help of ear cut-outs. Ear protectors such as these were provided and were attached separately.

Reinforced peaks were present and ridged extensions at the rear for a neck guard and cheek pieces. Most of these gladiator helmets were made of iron and accompanied by brass decors.

Substantial “hot-cross bun” versions of crossbars were present on the helmets for optimal protection from assaults.

Photo Source: Public Domain

Imperial Italic Helmets

Imperial Italic Helmets were worn during the late 1st century BC until the early 3rd century. These appeared to be similar in design to the Gallic helmets.

The Imperial Italic helmets featured an arched neck guard that had ribbings along the nape. Brass trimmings, projecting ear guards, and decorative bosses were present as well.

When it comes to the shape, it’s quite similar to the Imperial Gallic helmet. Due to its simple design and structure, these were likely based on the Italian and Greco-Etruscan helmets. Specifically, the helmets of the Republican period.

A couple of helmet types integrated a twist on the crests held T-shaped holders on the crowns. The earliest version of this type of gladiator helmets does not have any archaeological proof. However, there were claims of seeing such pieces in the Herculanium.

The Secutor Helmet

The secutor, which means chaser or follower, used a gladiator helmet called the Secutor helmet. This piece was often used against the retiarius. It was specifically devised to further protect the user against this type of gladiator’s weapon.

This type of gladiator helmet was shaped like a fish’s head. It was only fitted with two small eye-holes to protect the user from the retiarius’ trident.

This helmet covered the entire face of the secutor. Plus, it was smooth and rounded to prevent the opponent from gripping it.

Because of its form and style, the Secutor helmet limited the view of the wearer. With that, it was quite difficult for the user to be aware of his surroundings.

Provocatores Helmet

Provocatores equipped visored gladiator helmets without a brim or crest. Instead, these featured a feather on each side.

The provocatores were the only gladiators who wore breastplates that sported rectangular shape. But as time passed, the form changed to a crescent shape instead.

Thracian Style Helmets

Compared to the simple helmet used by the secutor, a few gladiator helmets sported elaborate decors. These are often seen on the Thracian style helmets. A sample of this piece can be seen in The Louvre, Paris.

This particular type of gladiator helmet was made of bronze. When it comes to its embellishments, you will find these with a crest fashioned with plumes. They terminated to a griffin’s head, while the front portion of the helmet featured Medusa’s head that’s silver-plated.

These gladiator helmets also featured plume holders on either side, allowing the user to attach feathers to it.

Murmillones Helmet

The Murmillones helmet was quite similar to those worn by the Thraex. Both these warriors were heavily armed, hence, the similarity of their gladiator helmets.

The Murmillones helmet featured a broad brim and a crest fashioned with horsehair or plumes. The crest often featured a decorative fish since the Murmillos were usually referred to as fishermen.

Compared to the Secutor’s helmet, these types of gladiator helmets feature grill visors with numerous holes. It allowed the users to breathe and see better, which was highly convenient, especially during tournaments.

Andabata Helmet

The Andabata was another type of gladiator, and their gladiator helmets were called the Andabata helmet.

The term andabata can be translated to blind-folded gladiators who were said to have fought while on horseback. A few questioned this specific type of warrior since the helmets they wore literally had no eye holes.

In other words, these gladiators would charge blindly at each other in the arena they battled in.

Photo Source: Public Domain

Roman Infantry Helmet

The mainstay piece of the Roman legion was for the infantry, who used heavy armor. This set was made up of a breastplate, gladiator helmet, greaves only on the right leg, and a buckler.

The gladiator helmet that they wore was often made from untanned skin or leather. It was also often enhanced and decorated with gold or bronze.

Leather helmets were created via tanning, which consisted of converting hides into leather. This process is done by steeping the material in a tannin solution. It’s an acid solution brewed out of gall or oak bark.

Commanders’ gladiator helmets had crests that were usually made from feathers or horsehair. They wore these to give off an imposing and intimidating look while simultaneously giving the illusion of being taller. This idea helped the commander appear more commanding and domineering.

Their crests were linked to the gladiator helmets via central support called the plume holder or crest block. The later Roman helmets were then stylized with iron bands that ran the entire length of the helmet. It went from front to back with enough space to attach the crest.

Gallic and Italic helmets featured fittings that allowed the attachment of ornate crests by either twist or slots. These gladiator helmets’ crests didn’t only function as decorations, but it was to distinguish the different centurions around.

Centurion Helmet

The Centurion helmet was another gladiator helmet worn by the centurions. They utilized a transverse crest that ran from one side to another across the helmet.

It’s believed that these warriors utilized these in battle in the Early Empire. These crests functioned as a visual reference, as well as a rallying point for their troops.

Lower-ranking soldiers wore crests during special events like parades or battle triumphs. Shades used for the crests of gladiator helmets were purple, red, black, white, and yellow. Yet, in contemporary artworks, they are usually depicted as red.

Changes in Late Period Roman Helmet Construction and Depiction

It was common for most gladiators and warriors to wear gladiator helmets featuring different designs. This is because the helmets’ design patterns and their build changed over time.

New legionaries were likely issued with any readily available helmet even if it was out-dated. The only time these gladiator helmets ceased to be issued was when they were damaged extensively. If these could no longer be repaired, then they were discarded immediately.

Photo Source: Public Domain

Imperial Italic Helmets

Imperial Italic Helmets were worn during the late 1st century BC until the early 3rd century. These appeared to be similar in design to the Gallic helmets.

The Imperial Italic helmets featured an arched neck guard that had ribbings along the nape. Brass trimmings, projecting ear guards, and decorative bosses were present as well.

When it comes to the shape, it’s quite similar to the Imperial Gallic helmet. Due to its simple design and structure, these were likely based on the Italian and Greco-Etruscan helmets. Specifically, the helmets of the Republican period.

A couple of helmet types integrated a twist on the crests held T-shaped holders on the crowns. The earliest version of this type of gladiator helmets does not have any archaeological proof. However, there were claims of seeing such pieces in the Herculanium.

The Secutor Helmet

The secutor, which means chaser or follower, used a gladiator helmet called the Secutor helmet. This piece was often used against the retiarius. It was specifically devised to further protect the user against this type of gladiator’s weapon.

This type of gladiator helmet was shaped like a fish’s head. It was only fitted with two small eye-holes to protect the user from the retiarius’ trident.

This helmet covered the entire face of the secutor. Plus, it was smooth and rounded to prevent the opponent from gripping it.

Because of its form and style, the Secutor helmet limited the view of the wearer. With that, it was quite difficult for the user to be aware of his surroundings.

Photo Source: Public Domain

The Factory Style Equipment Production

One of the possible reasons for the differences in these gladiator helmets was the changes in production methods. The changes in these processes were initiated by the Diocletian during the late 3rd century AD. Here, the production of military tools and equipment started getting concentrated in a factory-styled manner.

By the 5th century, about 44 of these factories located throughout the Empire were included in the Imperial Records. Each location concentrated on only one or two kinds of battle equipment.

Like other equipment, gladiator helmets were no longer created in their classic areas or even by the original armorers. It’s likely that along with the creators’ changes, revisions were made to how these gladiator helmets were produced. In return, this would lead to great changes and differences that were already present in the later helmets.