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Archaeological Finds In Roman Arms And Armor


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Fantastic! Thanks folks. Keep em coming if you have something else.

 

Beautiful stuff isn't it?

 

Taking a look at those Roman helms, I find it strange how large some of them had of that back fan, that area at the back of the helmet apparently designed to protect the back of the neck. Seems like a lot of unnecessary extra weight for no good purpose. Anyone have ideas as to why they had it?

 

http://www.romancoins.info/a-2005-helmet%20(32).JPG

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Taking a look at those Roman helms, I find it strange how large some of them had of that back fan, that area at the back of the helmet apparently designed to protect the back of the neck. Seems like a lot of unnecessary extra weight for no good purpose. Anyone have ideas as to why they had it?

 

This part of helmet was very necessary for neck's protection. Besides that this part permitted to distribute the helmet's weight more evenly and lightened heavy load on the head. Still besides it made the helmet more stable equilibrium and kept from tilts. This was good help in fighting.

This part of helmet Romans took over of Celts in 3BC abt.

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  • 3 months later...
Taking a look at those Roman helms, I find it strange how large some of them had of that back fan, that area at the back of the helmet apparently designed to protect the back of the neck. Seems like a lot of unnecessary extra weight for no good purpose. Anyone have ideas as to why they had it?

 

I recently read an interview with Peter Connolly where he discusses this. His theory (and there are few as qualified to do so) is that the neckguard was not intended to protect from the rear, but from the front!

 

If you picture the fighting stance of a legionary, which is in a crouching stance leaving the Roman quite low down, the scutum protecting most of the body with the top of the head peeking above the scutum, this leaves the top of the back and neck open to a high blow or thrust. He reckons the large neckguard added yet more protection from a high swing of an enemy sword, axe, falcata, etc, over the Roman, which otherwise could easily reach an exposed neck, or penetrate the defense and strike the Roman's back.

 

Cheers,

Jim.

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