Corinthian helmets

One of my more recent purchases and making-things projects. I designed a fancy ivy-leaf pattern for the cheek-pieces and got my Facebook friends to vote on whether or not to use it, and the very slim majority vote was for keeping the cheek-pieces plain.
Better and worse modern reconstructions than this one exist. I've not been impressed with the brass ones that cost about £500, and the only very authentic bronze ones I've seen cost thousands. You can get a cheapie for about £35 but I went a bit further and spent £68 including postage from India. I don't like to advertise, and I'm not making this video to promote a product, but I know that I'm going to get asked this, so I'll say that the helmet (not painted, and without a few other improvements I made) was from:
Ancient Craft Store
Shahzeb Ansari
Clock Tower
Gali No.4
Meerut, UP 250002 IN
You can look them up on Ebay.
www.LloydianAspects.co.uk

[@RabbiHerschel]

Lindy in 2013: says "I've rambled far too long as it is" at the end of a 6 minute video Lindy in 2021: does an hour-long video about ladders

[@iceee420]

Was going to say something similar

[@laki74]

This is not a Greek helmet, it's a Jewish helmet. You can tell because it's clearly circumcised.

[@sukarnos3xy]

No. Not that shitposting comment... 0_0

[@Einomar]

@@sakeytoes Because it's a silly comment.

[@gidthecook8892]

@@Einomar But the resemblance is there

[@Auriam]

Second best comment.

[@fukpoeslaw3613]

The Jewish never circomcitioned theyare helmets so where for are you communicating nonsensically?

[@nacoran]

The reservoir tip only comes in the Trojan model.

[@CelestialShroom]

underrated comment.

[@Auriam]

Best comment, pants down. I mean hands down.

[@zappawench6048]

You're too naughty. Funny, though!

[@andrewharper1609]

Groan.

[@dELTA13579111315]

@@andrewharper1609 *groin

[@thewoolycontacts]

I had earphones in and when you asked if the helmet made you look terrifying .. the yells scared the shit out of me. so yes.. good job. the helmet in fact works

[@gaiusjuliuscaesar2099]

Same lmao

[@scottieboomboom1]

it was quarter to one in the morning and my volume was up at 0:45

[@-Honeybee]

+jabbathehutton RIP eardrums

[@CurtisEFlush5962]

quarter after 12 in the morning for me... Why am I watching KZbin 4 hrs before work

[@hartree.y]

+jabbathehutton Lol, the same.

[@rattinox]

+jabbathehutton same here! Then I heard outraged thumping on my floor........the neighbor's ceiling.........

[@scottieboomboom1]

rattinox hahahah!

[@peter3664]

Between the phallic helmet and pronouncing cuirass as 'queer ass', really found myself stifling a giggle.

[@RabbiHerschel]

Getting stabbed in the cuirass is a regrettably common occurrence.

[@badlandskid]

*stiffing

[@lindybeige]

Yes, there is a leather cradle inside for the top of my head, and a padded band all the way around my head at forehead-height. The angle around the eyes is not steep, so is little danger, and the shape strengthens the edge. If you shuffle along, you will trip over everything. You don't need to look down over perfectly flat land, but there isn't any perfectly flat land in Greece.

[@rachard]

i agree

[@olliephelan]

That "helmet" looks very phallic

[@johnjaeger2257]

My phallus looks very helmet

[@olliephelan]

my hallmus looks very velvet

[@wolfpackrogue3893]

Well, there is some fact about phallus, ancient greeks believed that "phallus" brings protection from the bad spirits

[@andrij3078]

@@wolfpackrogue3893 how?

[@streetfighter2471]

@@andrij3078 Would you approach a man with his hose just hanging out in its battle pose?

[@hans-christianbauer5947]

Looking at the helmet, I really did not have the picture of a Stormtrooper come to my mind. It reminded me more of the tip of a penis. Not that this hasn't been pointed out before, but the shape of the top - in conjuction with the contrast of colour with the lower section - really makes it...erm..."stand out. " :)

[@JohnGeorgeBauerBuis]

Hans-Christian Bauer, it is more similar to Mandalorian and Clone Trooper armor, and was probably an inspiration for those.

[@Djzommer1]

stand up*

[@bp837]

Mandalorian helmets are based off of hoplite helmets. Clone Army helmets are based off of Mandalorian helmets, and Imperial helmets are based off of Clone Army helmets.

[@bp837]

***** I'm not talking about the new models of Mandalorian helmets, but the old ones, during the Sith-Republic wars. Fun fact: Senate Guard helmets are inspired from those old ones.

[@fuzzydunlop7928]

Those look even more-so like Barbutes, my dude.

[@JohnGeorgeBauerBuis]

That's what I was thinking as well.

[@TheAtomicCross]

@@fuzzydunlop7928 The Barbute was based on the Corinthian helmet during Italy's Classical Period Retro phase.

[@Jrez]

In-lore explanation perhaps, but I would assume in reality everything was designed off Ralph Mcquarrie's drawings.

[@lindybeige]

I did "Classical Civilisation" advanced level, and it was made clear to those taking this course that Classical art is good, and Hellenistic art is not.

[@sixthsense6529]

Rip ears

[@simondean5227]

And please paint the top part of you helmet as well...

[@australianword3812]

@Molon Labe I think he said paint

[@manlyangel3768]

@Molon Labe I think you didn't see the SHAPE of the upper part of the helmet for Simon to make this comment

[@ROFT]

What are you pair on about? He didn't reply to Simon.

[@john.harrison]

@@ROFT the unpainted helmet looks a bit like the head of a mans nob. Thats what they are on about.

[@ROFT]

@@john.harrison well obviously, but why mention Simon? Unless that's a euphemism for glans?

[@lindybeige]

The style of cuirass I have came in in the later 6th century, well before the Peloponnesian War, and there are many vase paintings showing this style of cuirass paired with this style of helmet.

[@paddy3002]

"queer ass". Internet Gold

[@Arnaere]

+Patrick Moore Metatron was doing this for a long time. Killed me.

[@LoneWolf-wp9dn]

it should be cuh-ee-rass... stupid english people cant pronounce anything foreign

[@Arnaere]

Lone Wolf Ker-is. With a southern twang. All else is wrong.

[@redjack2629]

+Lone Wolf Miriam-Webster and Oxford dictionaries both say "Kwi-Rass", while Webster also accepts "Kyu-Rass". Your source?

[@CorvusPrudens]

+Lone Wolf Cuirass has been a part of the english language for a long time. And besides, the way he pronounces it is an almost perfect anglicization of the french vowels.

[@lindybeige]

It is accurate in shape. Indeed, many of the helmets had much narrower slits between the cheek pieces.

[@hughmungus4274]

Nice helmet nohomo

[@lindybeige]

Possibly, although I find them a bit mysterious myself, and I would question the value of a video in which the presenter says "I don't know much about these, but aren't they a bit odd?"

[@lindybeige]

Ah. Difficult to know how to react to this comment.

[@frankbarnwell____]

Wink nudge

[@pixelbogpixxelbog2090]

Hmm

[@Marblez3]

You look freakishly like Meryn Trant from Game of Thrones.

[@MrJarth]

The greatest swordsman who ever lived killed by Meryn fucking Trant?

[@DeadFleshPariah]

MrJarth It was because Trant had armor. And a big fucking sword.

[@drew2dee2]

I wonder why.

[@dorsin174]

Antidiocese Have some chicken...

[@hazzmati]

dorsin174 actually he looks more like the main athens guy from 300

[@MarvelDcImage]

Regarding the limited vision of the helmet - I would think that would be what was wanted. Remember the men fought in a formation where moving forward in formation was the optimum. So only able to look forward through the helmet would have been ideal. Single combat where you need a wide range of vision was not how the Greeks fought. Also, not being able to look down (and thus see your dead comrades) would preserve your forward momentum and decrease the tendency of panic.

[@megadeathx]

You weren't paying attention. He can see side-side just fine. Every direction except down and immediately in front of him.

[@MarvelDcImage]

+megadeathx It is limited vision looking down and you don't want the hoplite looking in any direction other than forward I imagine.

[@j4mb34r]

MarvelDcImage The inability to see where your stepping could easily lead to some people falling down in your formations when they trip over rocks or bodies.

[@MarvelDcImage]

j4m You would assume that but the Greeks would not have kept the design if that was so. It could be also how they marched - how the feet are raised and lowered that allowed for them not to trip. Again, if this was a problem the helmet would not have been used.

[@j4mb34r]

MarvelDcImage Have you ever considered that they might not want to buy new, practical helmets for their entire army?

[@lindybeige]

Yes, it has a cradle on the inside for my head, and there are examples with this shape of cheek piece.

[@wagon-spokewheel8061]

0:50 dropped my phone :p

[@pex_the_unalivedrunk6785]

Terrifying! 0:45

[@AverageAlien]

00:50???? What happened?

[@lindybeige]

Iron was better for weapons than bronze, but bronze had many advantages. Iron is harder, so an iron spearhead has an easier time piercing a bronze breastplate.

[@lindybeige]

I never thought of having a Lindybeige page. What would it be useful for that I can't do with my website?

[@benhaggerty8707]

This is like, a war version of ashens They are not similar at all but he reminds me of ashens

[@rayzor181]

Athens

[@salex354]

OHMYGODYES

[@Big_Loo]

Ray Noonan no...Ashens

[@VadersFist95]

@@Big_Loo Hes making a joke

[@gerryjtierney]

@@Big_Loo it's. A. Joke.

[@Captain-Jinn]

Is it me, or does Lindybeige look quite a bit like Graham Chapman while in the helm?

[@Captain-Jinn]

Rest in peace in peace?

[@MsFlamingFlamer]

Now I can't get the image out of my mind

[@headrockbeats]

+Dax Garson YES! I was just coming to the comments to say that!!

[@TheSuperQuail]

+Dax Garson Oh my god!

[@vaclav_fejt]

Especially in a flat top.

[@snipedude4953]

The Corinthian helm is my favorite helmet in history. I like the ones with the crest.

[@MrJohnycomelately21]

I've seen a number of these Helmets with engraved inscriptions of the side that said everything from "I am blessed by Aries" to "I am going to kill you all" just a suggestion for decoration!

[@WTEvideos]

Just found this channel by accident, and I'm rather impressed. I'm taking notes. Thanks, man!

[@lindybeige]

Yes, on viewing it back I see that I was a bit gentle, but a quick tap demonstrates a ring better than a firmly pressed-down wallop. Also I didn't want to scratch the paint-job.

[@NRMStudios]

I love your videos. Thank you for making them and share with the world.

[@great769]

Don't fight any little people.

[@Jeremiah90526]

So you are saying don't fight Tyrion Lannister while wearing this helmet?

[@ThatGuy182545]

The greatest weakness of the Corinthian Army? ENEMY MIDGET ATTACK!

[@eddard9442]

you wont need a helm against little people, they can't reach your head very easily if at all

[@ShiningDarknes]

Justin What if they come at you with a pointy stick?

[@eddard9442]

A spear? well a helm won't do much good unless you have a visored medieval helmet on, this one has an opening .

[@Theamsice]

things that exist in the classical period in proffusion: brambles rocks other things

[@John_Doe4269]

Ah, yes! Those're the ones! I fell in love with their design, when I was a kid and used to read a book on ancient armory my father had. It'd be awesome to see you covering those. I'm sure I'm not the only one absolutely fascinated by vandal style armor.

[@lindybeige]

Yes, my eyebrows are immediately behind the brows of the helmet.

[@Dan_Gerous1]

Fleshy colors... Bad choice ;)

[@cosmonaut999]

@@SimonWoodburyForget the flesh tones make it look remarkably phallic.

[@Charles2k]

Lmao simon u are really missing the point here. The helmet looks like a dick.

[@alexmichellelottie]

"I do look a bit like a star wars imperial trooper." No. You look literally like a bellend.

[@user-zg5ey5xo9i]

@@SimonWoodburyForget Your walls are skin colour??

[@eagleflight2627]

Well actually intense colors like black or red and shapes in the shields were a personal choice of each warrior and used as identification and intimidation. Some great warriors were known and their allies recocnised them and often the enemies feared them. Imagine listening stories about the achievements of a certain warrior and seeing him in front of you. If you were not brave enough you would hesitate and pick another enemy or turn to defence mode against that guy making his work easier.

[@mrbeast85]

Its interesting to see how well the helmet protects your throat. I remember reading once (the source escapes me) that the Spartans specialised in using their very short swords to cut the throats of enemy hoplites in the crush of a phalanx battle.

[@jamesbaseman7297]

great vid and knowledge and dry british humor mixed perfectly...love your channel!

[@lindybeige]

I get a steady trickle of comments like this. All I can say is that they sound fine and normal on my kit.

[@phreakazoith2237]

The more you know: Birds see their beak, hoplites see a trapezium.

[@gl3110]

Its does look like a penis..serious question, was that intentional? the reason I think it could be is cause, you know..Greeks...masculinity, manhood, fertility and all that seems like something ancient, pre christian modesty, cultures could feasibly incorporate into their battle gear..

[@Thrainite]

The slanting surface makes it so that a falling blade doesn't get a solid hit against the head. Like slanted armor on tanks, it helps to deflect and disperse kinetic energy. Granted, Greeks had a hard on for... hard ons, but they also had a brain. As do you, so use it.

[@enriquedeavila6994]

Marvelous quotes of wisdom at the end!

[@tokr72]

So incredibly funny, yet informative. Thank you sir.

[@steeltwistercoaster]

lindy you know scary it is when that noise comes out

[@Twirlyhead]

Some beating around the bush in the comments below.

[@lindybeige]

The cuirass comes up as far as it can without threatening to choke you. Of course, there are other ways to extend it without just increasing the height of the front wall - you could have separate parts for the neck. Possibly the neck area was important for losing heat?

[@benjaminbreeg6214]

Every time I see a new video from you, I involuntarily say "oh dear".

[@taistelutomaatti]

The helmet makes him look worried.

[@Mjoellnir1984]

Dammit, does that mean, that corinthian helmets wouldn't have been developed in a world with dwarves, halflings and gnomes?

[@lindybeige]

Some later helmets had hinged cheek pieces that folded upwards.

[@alackofcaring9662]

i love the t visors on clone troopers. its just so cool

[@lucifael1]

From your description of the eye space situation I am reminded of the boxing posture wherein one tucks in the chin keeping it down thus both protecting the throat but also making the chin less of a target. I wonder if the helmet is designed for a particular posture, something like a chin-down look-up style allowing for lateral and advancing movements, using the cheek guards to maximum efficiency in protecting the throat and face and maintaining as many sightlines as the helmet will allow.

[@TemenosL]

This is likely. When struck from above I imagine the natural tendency for men to tuck their heads downward would happen. It looks quite protective of the neck in this position.

[@altansirin5830]

He looks like Meryn Trant from Game of Thrones in that helmet

[@Samuel-iv4qt]

Terryn ment

[@Mr_Jumbles]

Whenever we talk about helmets it always makes me giggle to learn how difficult it is to see down and imagining all these super elite armor clad warriors, soldiers, and knights... Constantly tripping and falling over eachother like a Benny Hill theme song

[@d-fens5866]

That helmet would encourage you to bend at the hips and straighten your back to be able to see the best. Much like how an American football player would run. That’s a great position to create power for thrusting motions (like with a spear?) So you could see the best while in the best position to use the weapon of the soldiers the helmet was designed for. The Greeks were freaking smart man.

[@slopcrusher3482]

I'm not so sure about that. You still needed to hold the Aspis in the other hand. the Greeks did use an almost rugby like ruck in terms of their formation, supporting the man in front of you with your shield. There are also images of soldiers in the Phalanx formation marching into battle upright. I think that if the artists, who very well could have been soldiers at some point, would try to depcit the phalanx accuralty. there of course would be some aspect of couched pushing since that is how the body is the most powerful, but you would still need to keep your head upright.

[@Forscythe80]

About the looking down thing, I suppose that's why you see so many statues and paintings etc depicting the helmet worn with the cheek guards sitting up on the top of the forehead, rather than down covering the face. Wear it 'properly' only when there is risk of enemy spears poking you.

[@ShiningDarknes]

That and helmets of any sort that cover the majority of your head and face get hot.

[@Auriam]

like a welding helmet

[@mattpelzek3809]

Thats a pretty good helmet design if you ask me. Ok visibility while keeping the soft vital things safe. Maybe it would be better if the eyeslit was widened a little and the nose peice extended?

[@Andrew-qw1kq]

I'm guessing that since they were originally cast bronze they worked out the best compromise for utility and material limitations through trial and error - and once they got it right didn't change it until materials improved.

[@konsyjes]

i have read about the phalanx being notoriously succeptible to rough terrain, and people getting trampled in battles, so the lack of downward visibility is a wonderfully welcome explanation

[@lindybeige]

I wouldn't do anything energetic with the helmet that way - mine would soon fall off - but it is a way to get some fresh air on your face.

[@taylorcheek9587]

"...I do look a little bit like a Star Wars imperial stormtrooper." You're thinking of Boba Fett.

[@blazednlovinit]

You look more like magneto on his wedding day than a stormtrooper imo.

[@-.-..._...-.-]

These are the coolest helmets, especially with a plume

[@panzerlamb9196]

I would say the gap is less for vision and more so you can yell loudly and communicate with your formation. (Especially after watching you deafen yourself with your new helmet) BUT i also think that the area youre wanting to see is likely just shield if your close and unnecessary if you've got ~15ft of reach on your spear thrusts potentially at a distance. Alternatively, try and position yourself as if youre about to engage a target youll notice you'll hunch a little leaning forward giving you a slight tilt aswell to see most of the enemies body (so slightly looking up with the toughest/thickest part of the helmet facing your opponent. Awesome videos as usual :)

[@bobjohnson9402]

"Now if I look down I can bash myself with my 'queersass"

[@MtnTow]

Makes you wonder about the fighting style they were designed to protect against.

[@FrisianDude]

I actually love the paintjob on your helmet.

[@Gunz97x]

Another great video lindy!!!

[@Angelsilhouette]

It DOES look a bit like a bell end from the front, though. Was that intentional? Nice quote from Mitch Hedberg at the end.

[@therandomcube4350]

I was wearing headphones when you shouted, is it normal I can't hear?!?

[@ajhart4582]

Please stay on youtube. I have a full fledged obsession with Lindy Hop dancing now thank you very much. Evita Arce and Alice Mei are absolutely addicting to watch. And the Lindy comps involving two couples are great too.

[@cjk592]

Loved this video, haha! Just bought myself a hoplite helmet on ebay - made of brass, and it's got a massive plume of sexiness. Thinking of painting it up, but I can't decide on a design. >

[@Ramekenas]

Fkin hell, 1:30 at night and that scream blew my ears and and my calmness if you know what i mean...

[@laranaries4225]

they did not actually want soldiers looking down at the carnage too much. troops were expected to keep their eyes forward on the enemy, and simply trample on the fallen- even if it was your own men. much harder to stomp on your friend if you can see him crying in agony! They weren't dancing around- they were stomping. There is also a reason why closed/semi-closed face helmets are slightly away from the face (hence obstructing vision). One reason, is so you can actually get your head into it! even modern closed motorbike helmets keep the chin guard away from the face, and obstruct downward vision. it is a trade off.

[@degrelleholt6314]

The length of the cheek-plates was also designed for discipline: To keep the soldier looking up and towards the enemy. Just like the old high, stiff collars of the Napoleonic Era were designed to keep soldiers from turning their heads but rather looking forward at the point of attack or the enemy. "Prepare to fire! Face front!" For a soldier then, what was happening on your flanks was NOT your business; only that which was in front of you.

[@demomanchaos]

The sutton ho I wore was hand forged by the guy who owned it, and is just all sorts of lovely. The vasalgarde was a bit big for me, and it was quite heavy compared to other helms. A simple goggle fits most periods and cultures.

[@TheSparda81]

Lloyd, you think that roaring sound effect might be a bit loud compared to the regular speaking volume, for those of us using headphones?

[@ulfrtheblind9262]

The Man From Earth commie facist

[@Highbrowser]

RIP Headphone users.

[@kyle857]

Best looking helmets. And you can actually see out of them.

[@Loals]

That's an understatement. If you're into gaming, though, there's a modification of that game called "Europa Barbarorum" which has changed everything they can with the aim of historicity. Much, much better at that front than the commercial game itself.

[@radiationpony8449]

I believe the reason you find the Corinthian helmet reminds you of a stormtrooper helmet is that the Corinthian helmet was a primary inspiration for mandalorian helmets, which were the basis for clone trooper armour and that was the predecessor to storm trooper armour

[@TheGmodParty]

Damn, I spent $80 on a rubbish Corinthian helmet. At least it's still a good popcorn bowl for when the need arises though.

[@danielc9826]

nah man use a ww2 brodie helmet. much better

[@SharkWrestler]

@@danielc9826 kettle helmets are good for soup

[@jurijsoklic5026]

Good presentation.

[@WeHaveExplosive]

Look sir, Droids! Nice decorative work on the helmet too!

[@MundaneMuser]

0:45 Wow! I didn't expect that. O_O

[@Jrlomay]

80% of this comment section: "the helmet looks like a penis" 20%:everything else

[@hastisc]

Jrlomay0616 Gaming 80% of that comment: about 80% of the comments section 20% of that comment: about the other %20 of the comments section

[@Milkbootable]

This is the best channel on youtube.

[@apodis4900]

Could you do a recap of all your equipment in one video. Weapons and armour etc. It would be good to see all of it together. 😀

[@anomalyp8584]

why was this model of helmet abandoned? It seems like the perfect helmet

[@GWAR2334]

No visibility, or ability to hear. It was great protection, but very encumbering.

[@theomega2773]

Helmets in the medieval era seem way worse though

[@TheAurgelmir]

Yeah, it surely has better visibility than the Medieval "full" helmets... Also these look the most bad ass!

[@GWAR2334]

TheOmega277 The trend with hoplites was always to get lighter. As time progressed, they realized that a little les protection was more than offset by an increase in agility and better visibility. Hell, the Spartans got rid of the Corinthian helm in the mid-5th century BC and replaced it with the much simpler pylos helm.

[@marcelob.678]

anomaly P meaby because it looks like a penis

[@frostaegis8653]

I would never put that on my head... simply because it looks like a falace...

[@Connorcj1]

+Joonas Ahonen Phallus.

[@QUADD4000]

As an American at 3:48 he sounded stereotypically British lol awesome vid going through and watching all the good old ones

[@Boltius]

Excelent video, keep it up! :)

[@rafafr9]

My ears are bleeding now....

[@KirihitoSan]

please, stop that silly screaming

[@mcsimeonthefin]

great video bro

[@shauntemplar.26]

Lindy, your great man and thats why i watch your productions ,this has to be one of the strangest helmets i seen you wearing. In fact, i laughed? its reminds me of something ..I cant say what but I think many men will understand me.. What do I know ..really strange

[@tiggergolah]

Your observation at 3:44 is very possibly why the Romans designed their helmets (eventually?) with no nosepiece. Excellent insight. Thanks for this vid.

[@demomanchaos]

I have worn a lot of styles of viking helm in my time as a reenactor (sutton ho, goggle, nasal, vasalgarde, etc. None of them effect your vision too much. The sutton ho is especially nice since you have the full face protection (goggled helms actually give quite a lot) like the vasalgarde, but the mouth and nose holes make it easy to breathe still.

[@davidmoreno9041]

Que buen canal ... Si supiera inglés, sería mí favorito. Un abrazo desde Argentina

[@woafmann]

You crack me up sir. Thanks for making me laugh in this late hour.