Newstead Helmet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Newstead Helmet |
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The Newstead Helmet
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| Material | Iron |
| Created | Roman, 80–100 AD |
| Place | Newstead, Roxburghshire |
| Present location | National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh |
| Registration | X.FRA 121 |
The Newstead Helmet is a special Roman helmet made of iron. It's very old, from around 80 to 100 AD. This amazing helmet was found in 1905 at an old Roman fort in Newstead, Scotland. Today, you can see it at the National Museum in Edinburgh.
Roman soldiers who rode horses, called cavalrymen, would have worn helmets like this. They used them for exciting horse-riding shows called hippika gymnasia. Sir James Curle, who found the helmet, said it was "one of the most beautiful things" left by the Romans.
Finding the Helmet
The Newstead Helmet was discovered by James Curle in 1905. He was digging at an old Roman fort called Trimontium. This fort was named after the three peaks of Eildon Hill nearby. "Trimontium" means "three hills" in Latin.
Between 1905 and 1910, Curle found many Roman army items at the fort. These included pieces of armor, horse gear, and fancy helmets. The Newstead Helmet was the only one found almost complete. It even had its face mask! This special helmet was found in a pit from the Flavian period (69–96 AD).
What the Helmet Looks Like
The Newstead Helmet has two main parts: a head-piece and a face mask. Both parts are made from hammered iron. When it was found, heavy stones had squashed the helmet. This damaged the top part and broke the mask in two.
At the back of the head-piece, near the neck, there's a rim. A thin bronze plate with a zig-zag pattern is attached here. The helmet also has tiny bits of silver or tin plating on the outside. Inside, there are still traces of a wool lining.
The face mask shows a young person with curly hair. This hair is held in place by a laurel wreath. This style might show a Celtic influence. On the left side of the head-piece, there's a tube. This tube would have held decorative feathers, like those described by a writer named Arrian of Nicomedia:
The horsemen enter fully armed and those of distinguished station or superior in horsemanship wear gilded helmets of iron or bronze, to draw to themselves the gaze of the spectators. Unlike the helmets made for active service, these do not cover the heads and cheeks only but are made to fit round the faces of the riders with apertures for the eyes, so as to give protection to the eyes without interfering with vision. From the helmets hang yellow plumes — a matter of decor as much as of utility. As the horses move forward, the slightest breeze adds to the beauty of these plumes.
Other Helmets Found
Two other helmets were found in the same pit as the Newstead Helmet. Also, a bronze face mask was found in a pit in the fort's bath buildings.
- One helmet is made of bronze and is very fancy. It has a design showing a winged figure, probably Cupid, driving a chariot pulled by two leopards. On the other side, another winged figure, perhaps Victory, holds a palm branch. This helmet likely had a face visor, but it's now missing.
- Another helmet found was a simple iron helmet for a legionary (a Roman foot soldier). It had two hinged pieces to protect the cheeks.
- A bronze face mask was also found. It shows a young, smooth-faced person with curly hair. There are holes near the ears. These holes might have been used to attach the mask to a helmet.
