Roman sports helmet with larva mask, 1.3 mm

Product description

The original of this replica was found in Ribchester, England, and is now on display at the British Museum in London.

In the Roman army, certain soldiers wore larva masks combined with helmets. Although depictions of Roman soldiers with masks are rare, they are believed to have been primarily worn by cavalry officers and standard-bearers, such as the Signifer, Vexillarius, Imaginifer, and Aquilifer. Whilst larva masks may have offered some protection in combat, this was likely not their primary purpose. The masks were often modelled after legendary heroes from antiquity, such as Alexander the Great, reflecting the tradition of war bands in which individual heroic deeds were glorified and heroes were even deified. Larva masks were crafted from iron or brass and were often silvered to enhance their appearance. The wearer thus became not only unrecognisable but also an embodiment of a hero, god, or mythical warrior.

The brass helmet depicts a battle between cavalry and infantry. The detachable headpiece was attached to the helmet itself with a leather strap. The helmet has been designed for display only and is not constructed to be worn.

Amongst all Indo-European cultures, horses played a significant role. More than 5,000 years ago on the Pontic-Caspian steppe, our ancestors—the Indo-European steppe herders—domesticated the horse. From this developed a cavalry culture, wherein the horse became an important means of transport, a tool in warfare, and an aid in agriculture. It is therefore unsurprising that horses were integrated early on into the spiritual world of our ancestors. They believed the sun was drawn across the sky by a horse and associated the animal with fertility, both of people and the land. The horse also symbolised kingship and the connection between the ruling aristocracy and the territory over which they governed.