Discover a Stunningly Preserved Rare ‘Corinthian’ Helmet from Ancient Greece Now Available at Auction!

An ancient Greek “Corinthian” helmet is set to be auctioned in London later this month. These helmets symbolize the iconic style of Greek infantry warfare and have become significant artifacts of the ancient period.

The auction will be conducted by Apollo Art Auctions. They describe the helmet as bronze and date it between 500 and 450 B.C. It features eyeholes, a nose guard, and a mouth gap, typical of the Corinthian style, which is named after the ancient city-state of Corinth, known for its cultural and military prowess.

However, it remains uncertain whether this specific helmet design originated in Corinth. Anthony Snodgrass, an archaeologist from the University of Cambridge, noted that such helmets were worn by soldiers from various Greek city-states, including Sparta.

According to Ivan Bonchev, director of Apollo Art Auctions, this helmet is “a rare and exceptionally well-preserved piece,” likely linked to a Spartan warrior. It showcases the remarkable craftsmanship of ancient Greece.

Such helmets are hard to come by, but remnants have been discovered at various archaeological sites. This one is expected to fetch between $72,000 and $108,000. The auction house has confirmed that it is not stolen and is selling it on behalf of a private collector.

Corinthian helmets have a storied history in Greek warfare. Snodgrass wrote in his book “Early Greek Armour and Weapons” that they began appearing in the seventh century B.C. and were modified over time. Many of these helmets featured horsehair crests and intricate geometric designs. Art from ancient Greece often depicts warriors wearing them tilted on their heads, and even the goddess Athena is frequently illustrated in this manner.

Later versions of the Corinthian helmet included side holes for the ears, enhancing the wearer’s hearing. The auctioned helmet, however, lacks these features but retains the distinct design that has fascinated collectors and historians alike.

While experts believe that Corinthian helmets may have restricted peripheral vision, this limitation could be less critical in the tightly packed formations of Greek hoplite warfare, where soldiers fought in organized groups known as phalanxes.

The influence of Corinthian helmets extended even to the Romans, who interacted with Greek colonies. Yet, Roman soldiers adopted different styles, favoring helmets that offered a more open face area, aligning with their unique combat strategies.

Source link