Author:Anonymous

Category：Weapons and defense

Year：700-600 BC

Introduction：The Illyrians were originally an ethnic group of Indo-European tribes that in antiquity inhabited part of the western Balkans. However, the name Illyrians seems to be the name of a specific Illyrian tribe, which was the first to come in contact with the ancient Greeks during the Bronze Age. This classically-formed Illyrian bronze helmet is very similar to those seen on the vases and reliefs of Greek art, which shows just how closely connected Illyrian and Ancient Greek cultures actually were. We can consider that this group of helmets together with that of the Romans formed a basis on which the European helmet evolved.

These helmets were forged (hammered into shape) and made in large numbers as most soldiers would have worn one. There are comparatively few remaining to this day due to two factors. The first being that bronze corrodes readily, so after more than 2000 years there is little chance to find one in an excavation and certainly even less chance that it will be in good condition. The second being that bronze can be melted down and cast into other forms as was often the case. The Illyrian bronze helmet in this collection is well-preserved, marking it a rare treasure.

There have been many studies to try to classify helmets and in particular Greek helmets. The most respected classification system was made by the German-Roman Museum in Berlin, which classes this one as “type II”. A similar helmet is catalogued in the Antique Museum in Berlin. Other major types of Greek helmets include Corinthian, Chalcidian, Phrygian, etc.

Accession Number:0009709

Place of Orgin：Illyria