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Oh dear, what sad reading this morning’s newspapers present. Talk of strikes, civil disobedience, child abuse, ‘Teflon’ Blair being presented with the American Liberty Medal and a pop star wearing a dress made of raw meat.
None of these subjects make for good reading, and I looked for something much more interesting.
I found it in the striking photograph of the Crosby Garrett Helmet, a Roman bronze helmet complete with face mask, dug up by a metal detectorist in Cumbria in May. Worn by an official of Christie’s, the auction house, the mask resembles those worn by the cybermen in a Doctor Who episode.
Frighteningly robotic in its blank stare, the mask, surmounted by a griffin crest, is said to have been worn by a Roman soldier, possibly with streamers attached to it. It is thought to have been worn during special field events with an elaborately painted shield, embroidered tunic, thigh-guards and greaves. Christie’s describe it as an 'extraordinary example of Roman metalwork at its zenith' and say it might fetch as much as £300,000 at auction.
One Roman commentator says that cavalrymen wore them as a mark of rank or excellence in horsemanship. Cavalry were divided into two teams taking turns to attack and defend during the events which accompanied religious festivals and which were also put on for the benefit of visiting officials.
If such masks were worn in combat, one can imagine the frightening aspect they must have presented to an enemy especially if coupled with the screaming ‘draco’ standards that some of them carried.
It is to be hoped that this amazing helmet and mask will be purchased by someone who can keep it in Britain for display.
.
Oh dear, what sad reading this morning’s newspapers present. Talk of strikes, civil disobedience, child abuse, ‘Teflon’ Blair being presented with the American Liberty Medal and a pop star wearing a dress made of raw meat.
None of these subjects make for good reading, and I looked for something much more interesting.
I found it in the striking photograph of the Crosby Garrett Helmet, a Roman bronze helmet complete with face mask, dug up by a metal detectorist in Cumbria in May. Worn by an official of Christie’s, the auction house, the mask resembles those worn by the cybermen in a Doctor Who episode.
Frighteningly robotic in its blank stare, the mask, surmounted by a griffin crest, is said to have been worn by a Roman soldier, possibly with streamers attached to it. It is thought to have been worn during special field events with an elaborately painted shield, embroidered tunic, thigh-guards and greaves. Christie’s describe it as an 'extraordinary example of Roman metalwork at its zenith' and say it might fetch as much as £300,000 at auction.
One Roman commentator says that cavalrymen wore them as a mark of rank or excellence in horsemanship. Cavalry were divided into two teams taking turns to attack and defend during the events which accompanied religious festivals and which were also put on for the benefit of visiting officials.
If such masks were worn in combat, one can imagine the frightening aspect they must have presented to an enemy especially if coupled with the screaming ‘draco’ standards that some of them carried.
It is to be hoped that this amazing helmet and mask will be purchased by someone who can keep it in Britain for display.
.
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