Gladiator's helmet

Gladiator's helmet

Gladiator’s helmet in the shape of a hemispherical crown with broad curved brim surmounted by a crista (helmet crest) and visor with grille. To the sides of the crown and on the crista there are some small holes used for inserting feathers and horsehair in the crest. The crown is decorated in relief with the personification of Victorious Rome wearing Amazonian dress and whoseright leg is slightly bent and turned out to one side . The figure holds a spear in the left hand and sceptre in the right, standing between two kneeling male figures of barbarians, with tunics, trousers and cloaks who hold up a standard. At the sides there are two standing prisoners (one male and one female) with their hands tied behind their backs, piles of arms and trophies (armour, oblong shields, lances and greaves) held up by two Victories. Under the brim are the cheekpieces, on one side of which is a depiction of a battle of the Giants with Minerva in the act of piercing a giant (Pallante?) with a lance, while on the other are representations of a Salinas, two masks and Dionysian symbols. The helmet was used mainly by the oplomacus and by the mirmillon. The initials placed on the brim are probably a reference to the name of the craftsman who made it or that of the owner of the helmet.