The unusual Northwich Roman helmet

[guy]

“The Northwich helmet is very impressive because all the decoration on top of the helmet – representing hair – has been astonishingly well preserved." [The helmet dates from 75-100 AD.]

“No exact parallels of this helmet have survived, but the type is depicted on gravestones from Cologne and Mainz in Germany.”   

(Modern recreation of the Northwich-style helmet)
 

"Northwich, known as ‘Condate’ by the Romans because it is at the confluence of the River Weaver and River Dane (condate meaning ‘at the confluence of’), was a mixed-infantry and cavalry fort and may have housed up to 26 cavalrymen.

Not only was Northwich in a strategic location, but the local Cornovii evaporated salt from the nearby naturally-occurring brine pools, and the Romans were keen to oversee production."

Summary: I’m not sure how common this Northwich-pattern helmet is. There have been only a few examples found, either the mostly-intact helmet found in Northwhich or those depicted on gravestones in Germany.

https://www.northwichguardian.co.uk/news/20009373.roman-auxiliary-cavalry-helmet-examined-weaver-hall-museum/

 

Edited March 22, 2022 by guy

[caldrail]

I think people often forget or have little concept of how individualistic Roman military equipment must have been. Everything was handmade, and so quality and detail must have varied enormously. Adding that personal touch is something inherently human, it's why warriors wore tattoos, why modern military aircraft sprout nose art once the fighting starts. Primeval display instinct, a touch of superstition, military pride.