One of the most popular helmets of ancient Greece, the Corinthian helmet is a beautiful piece of head gear which has become an emblem of ancient Greek warfare.
I find the Corinthian helmet one of the most beautiful and probably best defensive helmet all together, like you said fighting styles matter, also, if you look at the dimensions of the open parts of the helmet you can surely doubt they trained on dodging with the head to deflect blows/pokes from entering said openings, especially with the increased vision you have. The reason why I think it's the best, is if you keep upgrading the materials to keep up with competing materials steel/iron you should be really well off, especially with the defensive training that teaches you how to avoid mortal wounds.
You seem to have chosen the perfect Corinthian design. And for all the right reasons. Along with the Roman Imperial Gallia type, probably the two most effective helmets of the ancient world.
Completely agree. Corinthian helms have a certain artistic elegance in their simplicity and utilitarianism, and the highly-ornate spectacle helms of the late Saxon/Dark Age period are works of such detailed craft that I can't help but find them gorgeous. I also like the Barbute as a sort of hopeful throwback to these earlier design approaches, but alas its time was short by comparison.
I find that this is the best helmet of all. It gives the best combination of breathing, hearing and seeing as well as protection. To hit an opponent in the eye during combat you would have to be precise and that's if he isn't moving. A master piece.
I respect your appreciation of the Greek culture. A lot of people are too ignorant to admit that the Italian and Roman cultures are based heavily upon the Greek culture.
You have really improved on your English and is really inspiring to me because I live in Quebec and am haven’t difficulty’s in learning french(our provincial language) and it’s okay to make mistakes here and there
When perched back on the head, the wearer of the corinthian helmet has a stylish, almost jaunty appearance. With the helmet in the down position, the wearer looks intimidating. When a warrior pulled his helmet down you knew he was ready for battle.
Trivia: The helmet did not seem to contain padding, (no such marks on findings,) but hoplites used a cloth, like a small turban arround their head. It should be reminesant of the traditional Cretan headress I imagine.
+George Polyzoidis (Wisper) Incorrect, to a degree, George. *Archaic*, that is, early, corinthian helmets, typically had inner lining sewn into it. Later on we do not find these, so it is assumed that infantrymen wore either a round felt cal, felt pilos cap, felt phrygian cap, utilized long hair to some degree as comfort, or other methods of personal padding.
I was just wondering...When you look up pictures of Greek reenactment 2 things I don't get. 1. Was it so that soldiers in that time all had different clothing like the reeantment guyes? 2. Did every soldier had a helmet top decoration? Thanks in advance! Greetings, Matthew
+matthijs vkran 1. because unlike in popular media, soldiers were self equipped. 2. No, only those who could afford them, because of no 1. Even the roman army was not as uniform as popular media depicts more so before the Marion changes. After the Marion changes there was a greater uniformity.
scarecrow gamer I will thank you, and as soon as I get that I will make a video about it. I am planning on buying a Linothorax too *-* Ευχαριστώ πολύ :D ps: I love Greece *-*
I always thought that the Thracian helmets looked a lot less protective than the Corinthian helmets. The face appears more open on Thracian helmets. I suppose it is just stylistic choice. On a side note, the Corinthian helmet also looks very phallic toward the top, but maybe that's just me.
This top actually gives you somehow more deflect protection,also your head in a historical accurate replica would mostly be half the size of the helmet, so your head is protected,and the top which is the part your enemy can hit is actually and empty space with padding inside or a pilos helmet.
+IMPUREPALADIN Scarecrow is right in that it actually helps to have *some* empty space within a helmet that you can stuff with some serious padding. However, I have to agree in that the pilos is dramatically less covered than the corinthian, by a long shot. And this is in the facial region, of course. If anything it's actually more protected toward the top due to the peak. And yes, corinthians with an expanded upper region look a helluva lot like a penis.
scarecrow gamer Certainly not, I wouldn't consider it useless at all. For it to have become more common later on must mean that it certainly was functional. It just prioritizes overhead attacks versus facial attack as well.
Was the thracian helmet really the inspiration for the roman helmet? I always thought it was modelled after the celtic helmet, or was it only the earlier roman helmets that were modelled after celtic ones?
The so-called Thraecian helmet was basically the Attic helmet with the addition of the Phrygian-like imitation of a leather cap cone. Basically the terms Corinthian, Thraecian, Attic are modern ones - back then they had no names for them, it was just "helmet", different styles. A typical example is the so-called "Illyrian helmet" which was of course not at all Illyrian!!! It was a south-Greek development which spread around in the greater region and because some Austrians found some of them up in Yugoslavia (funnily at a region Illyrians did not even live!!!!) they called it "Illyrian helmet". So pay not much attention to the names.
+Timothius The Great .... that is IF the Montefortino can be labelled as any type apart. LOL! It is just a pot-helmet of the sort that existed for millenia throughout Eurasia, Assyrobabylonians used such, Medians too, Persians too, and up to a level even Greeks since some of the less conical of their Pilos helmet types were not that far from Montefortino.
I was wondering what were your sources for the evolution of Greek helmets as it's quite difficult to find proper and recent books on the subject (about greek helmets on the whole)
+Metatron Metatron! What happened to the Corinthian and Roman designs? Why did they devolve to the conical Spangenhelm during the 7th century, only to evolve back into a nasal helm at the start of the 11th century, and fully back to full face covering helms? Was the loss of technology during the fall of Greece and Rome THAT staggering, or were the way wars were fought not require face protection so it was phased out for awhile before being brought back??
@@autobot-jedi-iron-man3166 I realize you aren't 13 anymore seeing as how this comment is three years ago, but if you are still interested, find a job to save up for the helmet, and order one online. Be sure to do your research into the brand you buy from, so you know you are not being ripped off.
+Strategiusz Depends on how closed off the corinthian in particular is. Some models actually closed off completely, in a 'bell' shape. True that a diagonal attack, from down and upward would threaten the user, but, as you say, that's what the shield is for. The user could also lower and tuck the head down to avoid this gap.
You say it was used up until the 1st century A.D. And then replaced with the Thracian helmet. That is somewhat true but you should have said it was changed from that style to others. Also the Thracian helmet came about centuries earlier and came about between the 5th and 4th century B.C. Not necessarily "replaced" the Corinthian as that style of helmet was going out of style somewhat since it was very restricting giving way to more open helmets as well as changing from just hoplites in pitched battle to other types of troops alongside them such as Boeotian helmets for cavalry or a pilos helmet for light skirmishers. All in all a great video
I would say that the Roman helmet evolved instead from the earlier Chalcidian helmet and perhaps its Chalcidian-Attic variation through the numerous colonies of Chalkis in Magna Grecia.
Did they wear it bare or would they have worn some sort of arming cap along with it? You always seem them depicted as bare but to me it would make sense to have that extra bit of padding.
I've only quite recently found your channel, and I have to say I like what I've seen so far, and I'm glad to be subscribed. In particular, your efforts to debunk nonsense in TV/Media I really appreciate. (: Something that I want to note, that is important in particular with the modern reception of the Corinthian helmet, is that a lot of cheaper models out there are inherently inaccurate. Namely, in the great length of the cheek plates, or in the overly large and wide structure. Historically, it is very rare that the cheek plates of a helmet would descend any lower than 1-3 centimeters past the actual face. But you see this issue a *lot* with modern helmets, because they are made on the cheap, and en masse, versus actually made to fit the wearer's head as they were historically. The following depictions, both drawn and real, accurately represent the length of the cheek plates and show that they do not exceed the face by very much. You know when you see a poor fitting helmet, that it is not an accurate depiction of a real ancient helmet as they were hand-made, and obviously expensive, so no one would bother paying the money, and spending the time to create one, that was ill-fitting or had gaps that were too large. Which is another subject; sometimes the gaps on re-created late corinthian helmets are too large between cheek plates. Of course, it would have been up to the person purchasing the helmet to choose how they want it, but as you can imagine, too wide a gap means more vulnerability from the front. Anyway, onto the depictions. Note the length, or lack of length, in the cheek plates descending downward. Angles are slightly off here, but it works. - puu.sh/kxzde.jpg puu.sh/kxzlF.jpg puu.sh/jwP4n.jpg puu.sh/kxzjo.jpg puu.sh/kxzr7.jpg puu.sh/kxzpf.jpg puu.sh/kxzw3.jpg The difficulty in getting a corinthian to sit on the head as it should is in the size of the helmet itself, it being too wide and rounded, and not fitted close enough to the head. I have this issue personally, with my own helmet, as well as the issue of cheek plates being too long. Here would be an image of a very well-fitted corinthian helmet. By Giannis Kadoglou, a veritable expert in this area. puu.sh/ihUxx.jpg puu.sh/ihUxn.jpg puu.sh/ihUuI.jpg puu.sh/ihUuw.jpg (Of course, these are expensive and time-consuming to produce). This is an image of work on an attic helmet, but it is one wherein we see the optimal length of a cheek plate, with as mentioned, only a few centimeters of leeway, rather than an inch or multiple inches we see on the cheap late corinthians that are everywhere. - puu.sh/jWYXb.jpg And this is the type of helmet that I own, (though this is in brass). Looks nice, has good form and shape, but is slightly on the large side, it is not closely fitted to the face and so can not observe the 'corinthian tilt'. - puu.sh/kxztI.jpg Still pretty though. My own helmet, and the suggested cutting range by a good armorer friend of mine, which I agreed with. - puu.sh/kxAjx.jpg And my own criticism of these popular, but inaccurate helmets, and my view on the corrections that would be needed. - puu.sh/kxAeU.png . Here was an interesting little project that Giannis had undergone with an archaic helmet that had a very poor structure; enormous cheek plates, which he fixes very well, and does great justice to. - www.romanarmytalk.com/63-greek-re-enactment-a-reconstruction/290072-helmet-transformation.html?limitstart=0&start=15 . I don't think it goes to say that overlong cheek plates don't exist at all, but they are not as common as popular depiction of the corinthian would have us believe. Nor are the late corinthians with the more open face and ear-holes as common of a find, but post-mass-production they have become over-represented in re-enactment because of how many people get them and how easy they are to get these days. Probably the best and certainly most prime example of the overlong cheek plates, and probably what my own make was based on, is the so-called 'Denda', 'Type A', corinthian helmet. Perhaps the single best-preserved example that exists. It appears to be an explicit design choice, *however*, it is most popular with earlier, closed corinthian helmets. This same extra-long plates do not appear in late/italo-corinthian helmets. puu.sh/kxF4Z.jpg puu.sh/kxF54.jpg puu.sh/kxF58.jpg - This seems to have suffered from warping. puu.sh/kxF60.jpg - This is a much more 'slanted' design, and as you can see here, the plates are smartly curved inward in such a way as to not only fit closer to the face, but to have a better chance of glancing off blows. But for the cost of all that bronze just to have plates hanging so low they might impede you, one might consider that this is more practical, costs less, and weighs less. - puu.sh/kxF6i.jpg Here are a number of museum finds lined up, and one can see that the over-long cheek plates are not at all the norm. - puu.sh/kxF6s.jpg Other helmets that appear very wide seem to be victim of getting crushed beneath the earth.
+Janas Aurora Hey there, wow that's a lot of info. Thank you for sharing, you could make a few videos about it xD I am glad you like my channel, thank you for watching and I hope one day to be able to afford a proper corinthian like the ones you showed ;)
+Metatron No problem. I have to say just for clarity that I'm no expert myself, just a very big enthusiast, anything I know is something I've gleaned from speaking with historians and living history folks. Even my helmet has pretty big issues, though I like it's shape and form. x3 I've found that a good custom helmet is gonna be around 3-400 euros or so. The very 'top quality' stuff is more prohibitively expensive, being in the 900 euro range. I do love the channel. (: Thanks for having it.
Germans did the same thing for hearing in their helmets introducing the M-18 cut out. How did the Greeks pad the helmet and make it stay on tight? Was there a liner system?
qwerty qwerty I get what you're saying, but I meant in due time. Renaissance > Rome > Middle Ages It takes a while for things to be forged from ashes, but if the negative history was relatively recent, then the next generations won't forget it and will obviously right the wrongs that got them there. That's why we, as a race, are as advanced as we are.
How does this compare with the barbute, which was inspired by it?Also, could you touch on those cap like helmets inspired by the Corinthian, the ones that were worn like a Corinthian on the forehead, but couldn't be pulled down over the face (even though they had small vestigial eyeholes & etc.
Rome: "Hey Greeks can I copy your homework" Greece: "Sure just change it up a bit so it doesnt look obvious you copied" *ROMANS ACCIDENTALLY MADE A STRONGER ONE* GREEKS: *YOU WERE'NT SUPPOSED TO DO THAT*
whats also neat is if you dip your head and lean into your shield (like they did in a phalanx) the eyes neck and face are also totally protected anything directly in front of you out to about 30 degrees or so can't touch you all you have to do is duck. it give the impression that in phalanx warfare you didn't always stab straight, maybe up under the shield from below (the typical hoplite cuirass was most protected in the belly i think for this reason) but beyond that I think they would have been using the length of spear to stab a couple guys to the left or maybe right (right is harder to do) and aiming into the neck in between the locked shields. what do you think?
please, i have one simple question. whats the name of the "falcata" you have in the background and tell me if its an historical representation, and if its from what culture. sorry mi inglish hope you understand. thanks!
I wonder whether most of the helmets in battle had crest or not. I can see in most of the jar representations they are displayed with the crest. But many of the helmets found has any remain of how they may be affixed (f.ex: Bronze Corinthian helmet, ca. 500 BC, Staatliche Antikensammlungen ).
Great video but my partner ♡ asks how much time per day do you spend polishing your helmet. Do you spray a sealant to stop finger prints or the effects of people breathing over them ?
What was the purpose of the knob on top on the Thracian helmet? Wouldn't something like that easily get caught by spears/swords or even grabbed to control the head?
SODEMO2007 I do that a lot on this channel, we are a little community at the moment so I like the idea of "our" channel more than "my channel and you watching" as the latter was never my intent in the first place. I have a few other videos I need to make which come from comments, such as the one about the Vikings and others, it sometimes takes time but eventually I make them :) Thanks for watching
Very informative. How is the head movement with the helmet on? it seems limited to look down. The chin points on the helmet might cut into your chest if you were in a wrestling or hand to hand melee.
Hi, your videos are greats. I have two questions for you, is about the inside of the helmet, has some soft material because after sometime i guess are uncomfortable and not everybody has the same head size. And on summer wearing it, every corinthian probabily got crazy. Probabily are not interesting questions but i'm curious in that facts. Saludos desde Mexico
Where did you buy that helmet. If from an online store can you post the link. Also can you make a video on what online stores you like to buy armor and/or helmets from, that would be cool and useful
If you are dealing with sword or short thrusting spear, it looks like you could use a bevor or someone could put a blade into your lower mandible or neck
So we know iron and steel armor offered pretty good protection for Knights and men-at-arms etc. but how well did bronze armor protect the wearer? It must have offered less protection right? I mean, even if a bronze weapon is also softer than an iron or steel one, wouldn't the cutting edge or sharp point still have an easy time getting through a bronze armor? Puncturing or cutting bronze armor would be a lot easier than an iron/steel sword going through equivalent iron/steel armor?
Yeah, couple second into this video the word "dickhead" instantly came to my mind, and I'm happy to find, that I'm not the only freak here to think that way, what a relief! 8D
+Tomas Rocha Martins The ancient Greeks were obsessed with sexual symbolism, especially when it came to male and female roles in society. The penis was seen as a symbol of power and virility. Similarly, the spear was also seen as a phallic symbol of the same sort.
excuse me but could you tell me from where you found it please? am looking for a good corinthian helmet but I dont know which shop is more reliable. :/
+Janas Aurora a bronze one with closed cheek guards and ear holes :) but I learned that there is actually a guy in a near by town who sells ok quality handmade or bought broducts in low price ^_^
Does anyone know the name of the song played at 8:22 ? I'm going crazy looking for it. It reminds me of Age of Empire games or Total War games. I feel like I've heard it from a game somewhere.
+nixland It was hammered into shape from a single sheet of bronze, more often than not. There were ways to 'cut', like the shape around the face and nasal, and eyes. No idea how, myself.
