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Anyone have any info on this late Roman helm?
Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 8:33 pm
by Tom Knighton
Several years ago, I found this image. The helm is reportedly from a dig in Budapest and represents a late Roman ridge helm. It was a topic of discussion here several years ago, but there wasn't a lot of information discussed then, which leads me to the now.

- Budapest.jpg (20.1 KiB) Viewed 253 times
What I'm particularly looking for is information about the helms provenance and any further photographs of the helm. I'm kicking around some ideas of trying my hand a building an SCA legal version of the helm, so I'd like to see more specifics so I don't completely botch the job.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Re: Anyone have any info on this late Roman helm?
Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 10:49 pm
by Ernst
A quick Google search for "Budapest Roman Helm" brought these three images, apparently citing the Hungarian National Museum.
http://www.kornbluthphoto.com/images/HNMHelmet1.jpg
http://www.kornbluthphoto.com/images/HNMHelmet2.jpg
http://www.kornbluthphoto.com/images/HNMHelmet3.jpg
This pdf gives the provienence:
http://www.central2013.eu/fileadmin/use ... ntiers.pdf
Late Roman helmet decorated with gilded silver plaques and imitation gemstones made of glass from the
fort of Contra Aquincum (Március 15 Square, Budapest/HU), 4th century AD
The Hungarian National Museum also hold the contemporary Hetény helmet.
http://www.magyarmuzeumok.hu/english/21 ... nal_museum
Re: Anyone have any info on this late Roman helm?
Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 10:56 pm
by Tom Knighton
How did your search pull up stuff and mine didn't? I think Google's got it out for me or something...<grumble, grumble, grumble>
Anyway, thanks Ernst. I appreciate it! That's a big help with my research, and my project as well

Re: Anyone have any info on this late Roman helm?
Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 11:00 pm
by Baron Alcyoneus
There's also the Berkasovo helmet, somewhere in Yugoslavia.

Re: Anyone have any info on this late Roman helm?
Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 11:04 pm
by Tom Knighton
I've got a fair amount of photos and documentation on the Berkasovo helms, and have always loved comparing Berkasovo II to the Burgh Castle helm. Honestly, they are so similar that it almost justifies their prevalence among people with an interest in this particular era. Of course, with so few examples out there, particularly being reproduced, there's not a lot of choice for some folks.
Oh, and Ernst, it seems that I searched "Budapest Late Roman helm", which brought up completely different results. I guess I was too specific in this instance.
Still think Google hates me though

Re: Anyone have any info on this late Roman helm?
Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 11:11 pm
by Ernst
Eat more lo mein to raise your Google-fu.

Re: Anyone have any info on this late Roman helm?
Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 11:12 pm
by Tom Knighton
But I'm more of a "Beef with Broccoli" kinda guy?
Do the egg rolls count, at least?

Re: Anyone have any info on this late Roman helm?
Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 4:36 pm
by Jeppe
I see that the pdf document describes the helmet as an officers helmet.
It is the same design as the 4th century Roman cavalry helmets, they are also called ridge helmets
due to the design with a raised centre ridge.
I have had a look at these recently as they look remarkably simmilar to some of
the early Anglo-Saxon helmets (Coppergate and the Pioneer/Wollasto), and must
have been the inpiration for these.
Anyway, have a look at Roman Cavalry helmets - here are some examples for SCA fighting.
http://westcoastarmoury.com/index.php?m ... ducts_id=7
http://westcoastarmoury.com/index.php?m ... cts_id=138
This site have three Roman helmets
http://www.vogthandcrafts.com/pages/BCHelmets.html
Here is yet an other design
http://redskytrader.com/medieval-battle ... c16639e3e6
Re: Anyone have any info on this late Roman helm?
Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 7:00 pm
by Tom Knighton
Jeppe,
I mentioned the similarities to the Coppergate and Pioneer helms on another thread here at AA just recently. The subject came up with regard to the Shorwell helm.
As for the SCA helm, I was curious in reproducing this helm minus the "gems", not a generic ridge helm. FWIW though, in case someone else stumbles on this thread, it should be noted that the last link states the helm is 18 gauge. That's not SCA legal, so should be avoided.