The Changes in Roman Helmets in the Roman Empire

The Roman empire span for almost 700 years from the time of its founding to the fall in 476 AD.  You can bet that there were significant changes in the design of the entire roman soldier outfit, from the type of armor they wore to the helmet they used to protect their head.

The Roman Empire started to show its beginnings sometime in the 3^rd century bc.  However, it started out just in the Italian peninsula, and there were three major powerful families:  the Julii, Scipii, and Brutii.  During this time soldiers of these three inner factions of Rome wore armor and helmets quite different from what you might think of on a legionnaire.  They wore a chainmail armor called Lorica Hamata, and their helmets were more rounded and did not have the neck protection seen in later times.  Also, most soldiers wore a single red feather/plume that jetted out from the back of the helmet.  After the Marius Reforms in 106 BC, the dress of the Roman soldier began to change.  The Imperial Roman armies were formed and Lorica Segmentata came into being.  Also, the recognizable Roman trooper helmet and Centurion helmet was used in the armies at this time.  It was after the reforms that the biggest changes came into effect.  The Scutum rectangular shield was solidified as a shield of the legionairres, and the Gladius short stabbing sword was used as the sole short range weapon on the battle field.

Various other changes in Roman helmets came into being as the centuries wore on.  These included the Gallic ‘H’ and Gallic ‘G’ roman helmets, as well the imperial roman helmets.  They still maintained the general design of the standard trooper helmet, but they had wider and different sized neck guards and cheek guards.  Some may have had more ornamental brass plating.  A later article will explore the later period Roman army attire and helmets.