Here is an Article I came up with:
http://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends-europe/did-ancient-warriors...
Were Winged Helmets Actually Used?
Despite these representations in art, there is a dearth of archaeological evidence to support the imaginings of the Romantic artists. For instance, there has been no discovery so far of actual winged helmets, as we would imagine, from either the Viking or the Celtic realms. It has been suggested that the notion of northern barbarians wearing winged helmets comes from ancient Greek and Roman texts. The priests of the Celts, for instance, are said to have used winged helmets during certain religious ceremonies. Still, such headgear would not have been used by warriors in battle, as they would have been cumbersome, and would be more of a liability than an asset.
Share your thoughts on this.
Thanks in Advance.
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@Ian991......
Quite right.....
"they would have been cumbersome, and would be more of a liability than an asset."
The ritual explanation seems more likely..... although it might be possible that this type of "display" helmet may have had a use in the so-called heroic cultures...
where champions would be expected to fight instead of /or before armies actually got down to the real butchery.
Remember Homer paints the Achean "Greeks" as wearing tall ,bristled crests on their helmets..... and of course we have the recently found " Pylos Combat Agate" which shows a warrior grabbing an opponents crest during combat....
https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/11/greek-sealstone-gemstone-com...
But ,even experienced champions would have to be very skilled to avoid the extra risk such a head piece involved..... the conical form of a helmet is intended to deflect a blow...attaching horns or wings or anything that would give an "incoming" axe blow extra purchase must be considered a handicap.
In general... this type of headwear is built for "show" ...not really for utility.
@Watchman: attaching horns or wings or anything that would give an "incoming" axe blow extra purchase must be considered a handicap.
True. Though the high crests on the helmets of Roman centurions served a practical purpose by making the officers visible to the troops in the press of battle. They were certainly easier to spot than a sergeant's chevrons or general's stars.
Homer describes a horned helmet given to Odysseus, but from memory I think the helmet was covered in boar's tusks laid flat and arranged in rows around the helmet, rather than sticking out the sides.
@Algebe .....
Yes I know he description you speak of ... but there are other descriptions..... see link.....
http://www.salimbeti.com/micenei/helmets4.htm
And then of course.... the combats at Troy were primarily of a one on one nature.... the elite leaders only fighting other elite leaders.... a sort of communal duel.....and to your point of Roman Centurions... so too would the Acheans need to know where their leaders were in the melee .
A great way to get your neck broken.
I don't know... but I know the vikings wore some bad ass horns
I don't know... but I know the vikings wore some bad ass horns
@ MCD
"Bad Ass Horns"
Nope, no they did not. Victorian invention.
Suggested to our section sergeant in Iraq once we should go out on patrol wearing frilly pink tutus and large football/baseball team mascot heads. Had the Houston Astros "Orbit" head all ready to go. Oddly enough, the sergeant didn't seem too keen about the idea. *scratching my head*
Oh, on a side note, I DID receive a really nice letter from the Psy-Ops division suggesting I stop sending them my ideas and report directly to the base psychiatric officer. Guess they were worried about mail security.