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Posted on 09/09/2025 10:32:20 AM PDT by fidelis
Archaeologists have discovered an intact Roman helmet while conducting an underwater study near the Aegadian Islands off Sicily’s western coast. The helmet dates from the time of the First Punic War (264–241 BC), the first of three major wars fought between the Roman Republic and Carthage, the two main superpowers competing for domination of the western Mediterranean.
The conflict was mostly fought on and around Sicily, resulting in the island being annexed as a Roman province and Carthage forced to pay large reparations.
Remarkably preserved with both cheekpieces still intact, the helmet has been identified as a Montefortino type – a military helmet used from around 300 BC through the 1st century AD.
Characterised by their conical, spin-formed bronze body, mushroom-shaped knob at the crown, flared rim, and protective neck guard, these helmets were practical, durable, and easily mass-produced.
Named after the region of Montefortino, the earliest incarnation of the Montefortino type had strong Celtic and Etruscan influences, remaining the most popular Roman helmet until it was replaced by the Coolus helmet (however, it continued to be used in the standard gear of the Praetorian guard).
The example found near the Aegadian Islands comes from the site of the Battle of the Aegates, fought on 10 March 241 BC, a naval conflict and the final and deciding battle of the First Punic War.
For over 15 years, the Sicily’s Superintendency of the Sea has partnered with expert divers and maritime archaeologists to systematically survey the seabed around the Aegadian Islands.
Their study has yielded a remarkable array of finds over the years, such as armour, weapons, pottery, and numerous Montefortino type helmets – alongside an unparalleled collection of bronze rams (rostra) once fixed to the prows of warships.
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Looks kinda Puny.........
Our ancestors were much smaller than we are because we get much more protein as small children than they did.
After studying history for 50 years, one should always don the “Fuzzy, pompous helmet” because that’s the one that required everyone on your side to die before you.
history ping
Could be. The average person at that time was, by modern standards, on the short side. I'm not sure this necessarily translates in them having smaller heads, though.
As a history buff, I find this interesting. Thanks for posting.
I wonder if they found a skull inside this helmet? If not, one can easily imagine some Roman Marine looking over the side of the ship and accidently losing his gear.
Begging the general’s pardon, sir, but that doesn’t look intact.
p
-PJ
It looks like all the pieces are there except for the leather strips that connected the cheek plates to the main helmet. These probably corroded away in the sea water. Here's a different one.
LOL! Of course, and a good one too. Sorry, I'm a little slow this morning!
It wasn’t assembled in post #1. Somebody saw my post and hastily used wire from a paperclip to attach the ear guards. I cry foul. ;-D
LOL. No worries. The second picture is of a different helmet of the same type.
What a marvelous find. The history of Carthage is remarkable, doomed to inevitable annihilation from Rome. They put up good fights along the way.
Roman artifacts fascinate me.
There is also a carbohydrate link to height and stature. One thing you can tell from Chinese population is that they are taller and larger framed in the North as the eat more wheat, while in the south they eat more rice and tend to be shorter and smaller framed.
Both regions eat a variety of proteins and vegetables and follow the common 8 courses+base in both: 5 flavors to balance ying/yang supposedly (spicy, salty, sour, sweet, bitter), soup, fish, meat (pork, beef, or fowel), and the base (rice, buns).
As long as the 5 tastes are covered then the other pieces can be mixed and matched and the ordering becomes a bit of an art based on the regional preferences (Sichuan more spicy, Hunan more sour for example).
The main difference though between North and South is the base.
I wondered the same.
Carthage always fascinates me too. Everything from their origins (which may be in the "sea peoples" or Phoenicians), to Hannibal, to their ignominious end.
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