Less common Roman Helmet types explained (Ancient Rome)

[@Sharnoy1]

Very nice videos! I'd like to add, that the Niederbieber helmet eventually evolved into Justinbieber helmet, that was exclusively worn by veteran warriors, who appreciated some extra protection for ears - especially in the form of protection from hearing.

[@legopachycephalosaurus6825]

Sharnoy wait that’s a joke right? The Justin-Bieber helmet right or was it an actual helmet?

[@jessicamoore6801]

Lmao

[@Godzilla-se8in]

@@legopachycephalosaurus6825 What do you think, schmuck?

[@jvincent6548]

I used to live in Niederbieber !

[@Grymbaldknight]

Along with the Gallic and Italic, the Neiderbieber helmet is one of the most efficient helmet designs in history, sacrificing some visibility, hearing, and neck movement for increased protection, but without seriously obstructing the senses or hampering breathing. If i had perfect choice of what kind of helmet to wear into an ancient or medieval battle, the Neiderbeiber would be it. It's a stunning piece of craftsmanship, and it's obvious that it's the culmination of centuries of military innovation. I'm genuinely astonished that Roman Imperial helmet designs didn't resurface during the medieval era. They're among the most pragmatic infantry helmet designs in history, and are far superior in function to most helmets produced during the medieval era... and i say this as someone who loves medieval helmets. They wouldn't benefit mounted knights much (because Roman helmets expose the face), but the common soldiery would've massively benefited from their adoption.

[@EpimetheusHistory]

Loved reading your comment...One reason that perhaps why the older Roman types of helmets did not make a come back in medieval times would be the hesitancy to invest in a quality helmet for infantry who for the most part were not trained to fight in massed ranks and the emphasis was on providing the best for mounted knights until the pike and shot days. That could be an oversimplification but I think the medieval knight was the evolution of the ultimate one on one warrior wherein classical civilization the emphasis may have been building the ultimate massed troop.

[@Grymbaldknight]

Thanks, dude! I loved watching the video. =) You've earned yourself a new subscriber. I think you're quite right, in many respects. During much of the medieval era, the focus was on a small number of professional soldiers (mostly knights) supported by levy troops, who were expected to buy their own equipment. Since levies were mostly farmers who fought only when they had to (and were mostly there just to fill the ranks), very few would've chosen to spend money on military gear when they could spend that same money on feeding their family for a month. If you're only going to fight once every few years, for instance, you'd spend the minimum necessary on armour. A pot helmet, spear, knife, and shield would probably keep one alive long enough to come home again. By the time this paradigm changed, and the European focus shifted away from heavy cavalry and back to uniform infantry, the Pike and Shot era had already begun. Elaborate steel helmets weren't worth the expense when facing firearms. This being said, you do see a resurgence in similar helmet styles among cavalry during the Renaissance, as seen in the Burgonet and Lobster-Tailed Pot helmets. Although this reintroduction is partly a response to the widespread adoption of sabre-style cavalry swords (against which Imperial-style helmets make for excellent protection), it's also a reflection of the aesthetic of the era, as Classical Greece and Rome were very much in fashion during the Enlightenment. It's also a testament to how innovative the Romans were, in two crucial ways: They had reached the technological threshold required to mass-produce high-quality steel goods (including, but not limited to, military equipment), and they had the bureaucratic base necessary to organise and mass-equip a standing army as paid for by taxes. It's also a testament to how Rome considered each soldier an investment; it took time and effort to turn a civilian into a trained Legionary, and each Legionary was worth properly equipping. After the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, and the establishment of Feudalism, the ability to mass-produce steel goods was lost, and the military paradigm somewhat disregarded the military potential of the common man and venerated the idea of the "noble knight" in order to maintain the aristocracy. It's a sign of technical and social degradation which characterises the Dark Ages, i think. The infrastructure required to give rise to such complex helmets just didn't exist any more, and that's a great shame. By the time the industrial, economic, and bureaucratic base had revived enough to facilitate the construction of such helmets, advances in handheld firearms - and firearm-based tactics - had rendered them obsolete. One last aside, if i may. It's also interesting to note the design of the Neiderbeiber as compared to earlier Imperial helmets; it offers more protection at the expense of some loss to hearing and vision. This can also be reflected in the switch from the classic Gladius sword to the Spatha cavalry sword during the same period, as well as the abandonment of Lorica Segmentata in favour of mail. The Empire was beginning to decline, no longer able to expand, and was pressed on all borders by hostile forces. The switch to cheaper mail, more enclosed helmets, and longer swords demonstrated an obvious change in military thinking. The equipment of the Legionary around 70AD gave off the message "I'm coming to get you, and you can't stop me!". By 270AD, the message being presented to the enemy was "Stay back! Don't come any closer!". It's a visual shift from an offensive to a defensive policy (and from unit tactics to individual skill at arms) as a consequence of failing state power. Rome was afraid, and i'm sure this wasn't lost on her enemies. Sorry, that got kinda long. I just find this sort of thing fascinating.

[@EpimetheusHistory]

Poured myself an ice cold alcoholic beverage when I saw how long this comment was, also enjoyed reading this one yeah fascinating stuff man. One of my favorite parts of starting this channel is reading the really good comments that come in from time to time. Yeah, the "Stay back! Don't come any closer!" model was in full swing in the later days of the empire. The Romans ability to adapt and borrow efficiently with an element of meritocracy definitely boosted their longevity.

[@chucknorris202]

@@EpimetheusHistory I love reading the longer comments too, esp about the classical world, or military tactics before gunpowder. I'm sure Im not the only one that still feels regret and loss over what happened to the Western Roman Empire towards the end. How sad. They should have NEVER devalued the denarius and they should NEVER have allowed the barracks emperors; or allowed the military the amount of political power they gained(my God they were able to kill and replace emperors at will!). Moreover they should have invested heavily into educating and romanizing the germans that they had in their legions, and leading their armies...but nope they didnt do that for some reason..Rome could have lasted until today if they had did a few important things, think of the advances we would now have if Rome never died off, or died off in the way it did(that led to a dark age so to speak). Makes me sad. Still a huge fan of Rome and Greece.

[@LeohTheArcher]

I disagree with the notion that medieval infantry didn't have access to really good helmets like de Romans did. A sallet and bevor or pot helm with cheek pieces would offer about the same protection Imperial or Neiderbieber ones do.

[@wilhufftarkin8543]

The pot helmet looks like a WW1 or WW2 helmet.

[@PLUTONIUM1228]

ja it really looks like british brodie helmet

[@laos85]

They sure go back with lesser style in ww1 with a pusy gun.

[@comradekenobi6908]

It comes in full circle

[@chrisalsop5298]

Animal skins worn on the head were totemic symbols that the Europeans believed would grant you the powers or attributes of that animal. Hence Herakles with the nemean lion skin, the signifiers with the bear skins, the Nordic berserkers, the Germanic wolf warriors e.t.c.

[@chucknorris202]

well said. also yeah many european tribes did this. The Romans were famous for wolf pelts in particular, because of the She-Wolf that suckled Romulus and Remus as they were abandoned infants. And yeah Heracles wears the Lion pelt too, the Germanic tribes also did this, and so on.

[@LeohTheArcher]

@@chucknorris202 Even the Ameridians did something similar here in the Americas, with the Aztec Jaguar Warriors being the first to come to mind.

[@chucknorris202]

@@LeohTheArcher they did didnt they. Similar but not quite the same, since they didnt use armor. But the concept is nearly identical. You draw on the animal pelt for courage and strength. Should provide a huge morale boost at the very least.

[@LeohTheArcher]

@@chucknorris202 Could be pretty demoralizing for the enemy too. A big guy (for you) wearing a lion's mane and swearing bloody revenge on you while charging towards your line would be quite the sight.

[@hmmm6317]

@@chucknorris202 they used linen salt armor and wooden shields and plates

[@p0xus]

2:16 I believe they wore wolf skins not as much as a mark of bravery, but as an aid to identify them as friendlies to their army.

[@iceintheair]

that and to inspire the core infantry

[@ReviveHF]

I would wear the Niederbeiber Helmet with the red horse crest and iron mask attach on the visor, Star Wars Clone Trooper style.

[@s0ul216]

Thanks for your hardwork

[@EpimetheusHistory]

Thank you :)

[@croatianwarmaster7872]

niederbieber helmet with a lion pelt and a face plate.

[@jonpage5326]

That sounds badass...and warm

[@lcmiracle]

It somewhat resembles a zischage with the noseguard removed. And some zischage noseguard can have a large crescent-shaped piece extended to the bottom of the mouth so as to form a kink of faceplate that exposes the eyes.

[@janodoski6916]

I hope you're channel grows even larger & i wish you the best to my favourite KZbinr Epimetheus, keep it up man

[@EpimetheusHistory]

Thanks Jano! :)

[@machine3589]

Great video! But you did neglect to mention the Gaulish helmets. Not the later Galea helmets of Imperial Legionaries, but the various iron helmets worn by the Gauls during Caesar's conquest of Gaul. Caesarian legionaries tended to loot helmets from defeated Gaulish nobility, as they generally had better iron helmets compared to the Legionaries' mostly bronze Montefortino helms. One of these designs (Port type) was so popular among Roman troops that it ended up inspiring the Galea.

[@henrysamson9264]

Can you do a video on the thorakitai and thureophoroi troops of the helenistic period?

[@krimokrimov6050]

plz do a video of the byzantine armors and helmets especially in th 6,7,8, 9 th century

[@onuscronus984]

I like the Imperial gallic Helmets because they are functionable

[@ScipioXII]

I’ve seen this video more than 5 times. And I have to admit, I enjoy watching it each time.

[@edoboss101]

I'd like to wear one of those fur-including helmets or one of those with the mask (they got some Persian Immortal vibes)

[@KierMailan]

Great videos! I sub'd. I appreciate all the drawings done instead of stock images most channels use!

[@SilverSurferSmurf]

Important point. Wolf pelts don't grow on trees... If you wanted to wear one then you needed to convince a wolf to give it up. No small feat when you consider wolves make German Sheppards look diminutive...

[@DirtCobaine]

Idk why but I dig the feathered helmets a lot. I’m not talking about a full crest but the individual feathers. The 1 feather above each ear is my favorite. Whether it’s the older republic brass helmets or the newer Gallic helmets but they look especially cool on the Gallic helmets.

[@eazy8579]

I'm probably in the minority here, but I feel like the Ridge Hem is my favorite of the common ones. As for the more minor ones, I definitely think the Attic helmet is definitely the nicest looking imo.

[@michaeldiebold8847]

Once again, great history. Thank you.

[@MrMortull]

Gotta love that pseudo-ancient Boetian helmet there! Might not be the most practical but it's got an elegant style to it.

[@Linfamy]

I was listening to some Taylor Swift songs, then I thought I should switch it up, "Hm...Niederbieber"

[@darkmattergamesofficial]

The italo-corinthian helmet is just awesome! Really a fashion statement, but seems pretty protective too.

[@tyrian_baal]

2:22 Velites didn’t come around until 211BC, so it’d be more appropriate to say Mid republic rather than early

[@paweandonisgawralidisdobrz2522]

3:38 the idea of a "parade helmet" is a modern one and doesnt apply when talking about historical periods when armor was vital to the survival of soldiers and all the money resources was spent on one suit of equipment to be made as good as possible. Spending a lot of money on helmet purely for parades would retract from the one used for combat meaning you'd have to buy a cheaper lesser quality helmet that is supposed to protect you. Rather than geting the best quality for the one that matters. Esspecially since these helmets have been found on battle sites. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXy5cmtvgL-hj5Y

[@EpimetheusHistory]

Interesting video. Thanks for sharing. Agree overall, face-masks would have been worn in battle, there is even accounts of the Persian Cataphracts wearing them in battle, so I am sure Romans did as well. Much of what has been called "parade armor" was likely was intended for battle...but there are some clear examples of arms/armour not fit for battlefield use.

[@paweandonisgawralidisdobrz2522]

@@EpimetheusHistory wow thats a quick reply for such an old wideo. Am impressed. When it comes to a lot of weapons regarded as not fit for battle i would still have to argue over specific pieces as it is with for example these helmets or many other pieces of armor and weapons wich at one point were seen as not fit for combat despite sources saying otherwise. Its probably a habit. Prretty = non-function

[@EpimetheusHistory]

@@paweandonisgawralidisdobrz2522 Was good timing, and an interesting comment. "specific pieces" True. Generally I think the error many modern observers make is the more ornate = parade which is false. I don't think common soldiers had parade armor, but generals, higher up officers and the very wealthy probably had a few different kits of arms/armor.

[@paweandonisgawralidisdobrz2522]

@@EpimetheusHistory probably true. Cant say much more.

[@NIDELLANEUM]

3:06 as I read "-bieber" I imagined Justin Bieber as a Roman soldier 😂

[@McArturPL]

Lovely video

[@clammycheetah2036]

This video was very helpful, it finally explained to me what these other Roman helmets were called.

[@johnbeechy]

Thanks for the upload

[@VALDIGNE]

Montefortino not Montifortino., Etrusco not Etrrusco.

[@eliasfrahat7074]

Impressive work man and question will you do a video about swords

[@EpimetheusHistory]

Good suggestion, Will need to read up on my gladius hispaniensis though...and the swords before and after....Roman swords changed a lot less compared to helmets...I think

[@Hvllow99]

Bear Skin with a Attic helmemt. BADASS.

[@pez4]

I'd never want to be in a battle, but the Boetian is dope

[@hebanker3372]

The Boetian helmet was for cavalry.

[@AlexGunMetal]

So, do the soldiers on Trajan column wear Attic or Boethian helmets?

[@Prometheukles]

You always teach me so well my younger brother

[@xanthosparashis8819]

I really like the Boetian-influenced and the Imperial Italic helmets both because they seem to provide a lot of protection, also the various helmets with built-in faces seem to provide good protection aside from being artistic. However, my favourite one has to be the Niederbieber helmet, it has a strange name though. I mean seriously, Nieder - bieber?😂 Are you thinking of covering the various helmets from the Byzantine period?

[@AmrodOfDale]

I love your content!

[@EpimetheusHistory]

Thanks!

[@emphasis2503]

Roman Soldier: i would like to but this helmet Shopkeeper: Ahh yes thats the COOLUS helmet in my shop

[@fontenoyjoe]

Very informative!

[@Sihengli]

please do some eastern roman (byzantine for the uninformed) helmets!

[@ChromeDove]

You forgot the double crested helmets officers wore. It had two crest's running from front to back.

[@rfkwouldvebeenaok1008]

I'd like to know more about crest placement on helmets, but I keep finding conflicting answers. Everyone says without a doubt that a Centurian wears his crest sideways as to be identified in battle, but then I hear his second in command wears it forwards, but also that regular soldiers wear it forwards but exclusively in parades in the city during a triumph. Anybody know a reliable source to learn more about this?

[@RedTrauma]

Great content

[@nodosa994]

Ahh yes, the Niederbieber helmet! By far, it is the best Roman helmet out there!

[@hebanker3372]

It was also quite heavy,hardened the moving of the neck and expensive to manufacture.

[@ZAGANOMS]

Nice contents! It'd be nice to see an educational video about the early weapons of the malay race too :)

[@MrFrowijn]

I don't know how many there are. Butt the ridge helmet looks jist the best to me. Simpel and elegant.

[@pavelthefabulous5675]

The Niederbieber helmet reminds me of an early burgonet developed a millennium before its time.

[@ik5083]

Good morning SIR!

[@markhoward6373]

Does anyone know what the proper name of the Boeotian-inspired helmet is mentioned at about the 2-minute mark? Thanks in advance!

[@iansmith385]

I've never heard of an attic type but id wear it for sure

[@arifmior6978]

Rudolf Crown Prince of Austria You really screwed up in that cabin, mate

[@iansmith385]

Twas a mistake a terrible mistake

[@oddballsok]

I am the attic type; locking myself up in the attic with my small computer....

[@2bingtim]

The attic helmet was around from at least 350bc to the C3rd ad & probably longer. So yes, it was one of the helmet typres used in Alexanders time throughout Greece, Italy & beyond. Chalcadian & Thracian helmets were probably more popular, though quite similar to the Attic.

[@apistogramma4521]

Niederbieber Helmet was the "basic" helmet starting from around 150 a.d. becoming on the highest peak around 200 a.d. and staying there for a long time (as far as archeologic finds say yet). Around 250 they started to make the helmet "better" and the final result somewhere around 280 a.d. was the burgh castle helmet type. Dates are not 100% but it is easier to remember those number than anything else, for fast readers. I know this information from my own research cause of Reenactment and roman reenactment is hard cause they all want it to be as authentic as possible. So what I wanted to say is that the Niederbieber WAS NOT less common at all. In the time around 200 a.d. there even was no real diversity in between legionaries and auxiliary units anymore. They wore all the same stuff, except of some regional influences ofc. But the Niederbieber was as common as the gallic or italic helmet in the second half of the 2nd & first half of the 3rd century. And yes it was a cavalry helmet but was adapted into infantry afterwards. Archeology out.

[@huguesdiceva]

Indeed, the Niederbieber helmet was the main helmet of the Severan dynasty (193-235) and Crisis of the Third Century (235-284) eras until it was gradually replaced with cheaper ridge "late" helmets, probably starting with Diocletian's reforms. Its birthdate is unknown, but it definitely became the most used helmet during Septimius Severus reign (193-211). The Italic H/Niedermörmter helmet was also used during the late 2nd century/very early 3rd century. Some medieval-looking camails in squamata/hamata were also used throughout the 3rd century, at least in the Eastern provinces, as seen in the Dura Europos synagogue's paintings depicting the Eben-Ezer battle.

[@terricampbell3179]

I like the Attic Helmet. And the Boiotian influenced helmet also

[@bloodyplebs]

hi what sources did you use? I would like to do some more reading about 3rd century helmets

[@yungsouichi2317]

Attic type is best type.

[@i_am_beowolf3257]

Do you know the name of the Feather Crown helmet used by the Mycenaeans/Sea Peoples/Philistines, I’ve been looking everywhere but can’t seem to find anything

[@bulletbill1104]

Italio-Corinthian helmet is the best one imo

[@alextp4563]

The correct form is italo-corinthian

[@TheSeanoops]

Agreed.

[@frosty2579]

Nice video

[@timoverdijk3176]

i like the Epimetheus Coolus helmet the most.

[@walterkennedy9474]

If I had to wear one of these helmets, I would wear the Imperial Italic as it looks epic, is one of the last quality standard issue helms and it’s not the ridge.

[@midshipman8654]

the boisian kind looks like early modern cavalry helmets

[@xprototypegaming922]

Thanks I am making a imperial Roman legionary costume out of cardboard for my Halloween costume

[@davidrosner6267]

What type of helmet did Maximus have the movie Gladiator? Is it historical or a creation of Hollywood?

[@neutronalchemist3241]

In the initial battle the legionaries were wearing something that seems like a merge between a coolus helmet (that was probably no more in use at the time of Marcus Aurelius. The later ones surviving dates to about 50 years before) and a medieval Italian sallet. Maximus worn an attic helmet that's pretty standard for a Roman officer in Hollywood productions, and is depicted tons of times in Roman marbles and frescos but of which we have just a pair of surviving samples (while, IE we have many Italo-Corinthians) so it's believed that it was used in ceremonies and depictions, to give to the officers and emperors a "classic" aspect, but was rarely used in reality. It's believable however that the tribunes had different helmets than the standard legionaries, since it was an easy way for a legionary to recognise the one that was giving him an order as a tribune.

[@kerrymcmanus9188]

I'm having an Italic A made at present,i think these maybe rare

[@CrazyHunter-by4dx]

Forward crest were used also by optios.....

[@Omegador]

New patron, aboard :)

[@concept5631]

Imagine how long it takes to make the stone paintings.

[@SOMSebster]

Love your vids. Is it your main source of income? I got no ads

[@SOMSebster]

Please do more History of different countries, they’re my favourite

[@novaimperator1526]

Imperial Gallic ftw

[@MNKY80808]

2:23 Oh my...

[@harrypadwal2623]

Can you do a video for Byzantine helmets?

[@MaxSluiman]

And : ' Classical Warfare' by John Warry. The bible for war historians.

[@Nauticalexport786]

Nice

[@memelordsauron7857]

Justin bieber needs a Niederbieber helmet!

[@Abensberg]

kinda weird... using a helmet in combat that was, worn like that, originally not meant for combat :D

[@rogerhinman5427]

Imperial Italic would be my choice.

[@Kouhiko9674]

I wear my hellmits on my hands

[@mymovies9172]

Wait? Did you not upload this video a few days ago?

[@jonpage5326]

No that one was about the evolution of the legionary helmets, this one is about the Less Common helmets. Hint...it is in the title

[@alextp4563]

montEfortino please!

[@LucasGuretti]

I'd love to wear every piece of armour that Aurelian wore, just to feel how it would have felt to have the iconic helmet and body armour of one of the greatest Romans to have ever existed

[@iop3907]

First one looks like ww1 helmet

[@MaxSluiman]

I can see you read the books of Peter Connolly. 😉

[@anoldretiredelephant]

really good video, but you mispronounced "velites", it is pronounced more like "vel-ee-tays" or "wel-ee-tays"

[@alextp4563]

ItalO, not italio

[@alextp4563]

etRusco, one r please!

[@Hvllow99]

Is this information aproved by The Metatron?

[@ahmedbassam400]

Thanks for this great information. However, I suggest that you speak slower to make your video even more comprehensible .

[@aronjoshbernaldo4723]

First good work

[@EpimetheusHistory]

Thanks Aron!

[@gigipolema2063]

Most of them are Greek Helmets.

[@mikellwehrer]

Veleyets? Lol no.

[@eliasfrahat7074]

To be honest medieval/Germanic helmets look better and more cool than Roman helmets

[@hazzmati]

do you browse youtube 24/7?

[@hazzmati]

Well do you?

[@eliasfrahat7074]

Hazzmati I don't understand your question

[@keshavshah488]

I totally agree, Germanic helmets looked more badass

[@keshavshah488]

Anglo Saxon helmets are my favourite

[@CrazyHunter-by4dx]

Forward crest were used also by optios.....