[Nathan Robinson]

A Rare Ostrogothic "Spangenhelm", circa 500


Click for detailed version

Of conical form and constructed of four quadrant-shaped plates riveted within a framework comprised of a broad brow-band and four medially-ridged vertical bands that widen markedly to their lower ends where they are decorated with large hemispherical bosses, and converge at their upper ends beneath a similar boss forming a finial.

Overall height: 6 3/4 in Weight: 4 1/2 lb

With the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in the early years of the fifth century, the greater part of Europe found itself exposed to a succession of invasions by Goths, Huns, Vandals, Slavs and other warlike tribes, each intent on expanding into, and then holding against their rivals, the territories vacated by the departing imperial legions. The classic headpiece of this period of intense military activity was the so-called Spangenhelm (band-helmet), formed of a mosaic of riveted bands and plates. The popularity of this type of helmet was due not only to the relative ease with which it could be made, but more especially to the fact that, in an age when iron could only be produced in very limited quantities, it could be made of small plates.

The earliest evidence for the manufacture of the Spangenhelm comes from Mesopotamia in the form of Sassanian examples of the fourth century, such as one in the National Museum of Iraq, Bagdad, found at the site of the Ischtar Temple in Nineveh, and another two in the British Museum, London, of which one was found at Amlasch, to the south-west of the Caspian Sea. By the fifth century the use of the Spangenhelm had spread from the Middle East to Europe.

The splendidly preserved example shown here is of Ostrogothic form, closely resembling its Sassanian predecessors in possessing medially-ridged cross-bands that expand markedly to their lower ends. The same feature can be recorded in two examples of about 500 in the Hofjagd- und Rustkammer, Vienna (Inv. No. A 1996-7 & A2348) respectively found at Sveti Vid near Metkovic, Central Dalmatia, and Steinbrunn, near Lake Neusieldler, Eastern Austria, both lying within the former territories of the Ostrogoths.

How far the Ostrogoths extended their sphere of influence may be judged from the discovery of similar helmets in such widely scattered areas as the Scandinavian island of Gotland, Eastern France, Alsace, Switzerland, Schwabia, the Lower and Middle Rhineland, Saxony, the Austrian Alps, Slovakia, Smyrna, Southern Dalmatia and Central Italy. One Ostrogothic Spangenhelm, very like the present example in both its form and details, has been found as far afield as Sabratha, Libya, and is now to be seen in the local museum there. Not inappropriately, the period in which these helmets were made is usually referred to as the "Migration Period". The helmet shown here can be seen as a rare relic of a time of unprecedented military activity that forever changed the face of Europe.



Photo and Text Copyright © 2000 Peter Finer

[Patrick Kelly]

Here's a similar helmet that was originally thought to be a 10th century "viking" helm.


This was later discovered to be a 20th century military helmet. (A soviet airial gunners helmet or something similar I believe) The one Nathan posted certainly looks genuine to me, I only mention this to show how some designs are adapted and continue in use for a very long period of time.

[Nathan Robinson]

Patrick, is that from the Doug Strong collection?

[Patrick Kelly]

[Paul Mortimer]

It's actually a world war two German rocket pilot's helmet. Originally it was covered in leather. The dug up veriosn fooled a lot of people!

Paul

[Nathan Robinson]

Just to be clear, Paul, since two conversations are happening, you mean the Strong helmet, right?

[Hisham Gaballa]

Beautiful helmet Nathan (the Ostrogoth spangenhelm). Thanks for sharing it.

Is there any evidence that it ever had cheekguards or a mail aventail attached?

[Patrick Kelly]

[C.L. Miller]

Thanks for posting this Nathan detailed photos of early helms, like the helms themselves, are in short supply, and this one is a beauty! Is there any information concerning its current location?

[Johan S. Moen]

Dagnubbit, I have been busted...I posted my 6-panel spangen here a while ago. Quite similar to the one in the first post, just without the large decorative rivets. Russel warned me that I't might come off as Ostrogothic. Anyhow, beautiful helm! Looks quite..well, solid. Functional. Something I'd trust my head to.

Johan Schubert Moen

[Chuck Russell]

that is a nice helm but i have my reservations about it.

case in point, i have seen to other helms from the 500s and both have flush rivets. the rivets are also small in dia.

this one has huge looking 3/8ths inch rivets.

where is the liner holes. where are teh check plates or holed from the hinges... now thats not fair though, not all had them...

i would like to see soem more documentation about this helmet. damn another project hehehe. now dont get me wrong, i'm not saying its not real or that the helms from teh era didnt have round headed rivets etc... its just those strong finds have me sceptical on most helms now that are early periods

[Shane Allee]

It never picked up that much attention, but here is a post that I did some time ago that contained two images of migration era helms. http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?p=14661#14661




Shane

[Nathan Bell]

Two such helms are in a book I picked up: 4000 ans d'armament en val de Saone (Bonnamour, 1990, ISBN 2-907303-02-3)

Both of these are labeled "Carolingian" of course. Both have smallish but not flush rivets, such as the ones Shane posted. the Truchere helm has rich repouse relief decoration all across the brow band. The Chalon helm has rich floral engraving covering all the bands.

Also there is a map showing the distribution of these helm finds across Western Europe

Cool book, worth picking up just for this.

[C.L. Miller]

[Chuck Russell]

beautiful stuff. thanks so much for those pictures

[Nathan Robinson]

A "Spangenhelm", said to have been found in the Saône River, France, Ostrogothic, sixth century


Click for detailed version

Helmets of the migrating Germanic tribes, the so-called barbarians, were of the Spangenhelm type, constructed of iron plates fitted into a framework of bronze or iron straps (Spangen). These helmets were a translation into metal of the felt caps of the steppe nomads who had infiltrated Eastern Europe for centuries and, with the arrival of the Huns in 375, set the migration in motion. Eastern Germanic tribes, such as the Goths, adopted the horse culture of their nomad neighbors, including its arms and equipment. The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Spangenhelm was found in France, but it was one of the distinctive group that evidently came from a common workshop, possibly the court armory of the Ostrogothic kings at Ravenna, who would have sent these helmets to allied princes as diplomatic presents.



Photo and Text Copyright © 1991 The Metropolitan Museum of Art

[Hisham Gaballa]

[Chuck Russell]

ya ive studied that one before its nice. check out the lil raised placed for the eyes.

[Wolfgang Armbruster]

Here's another one (currently in the Deutsches Historisches Museum in Berlin)
This one was found at Giulianova (close to Ancona), Italy. Probably from the 6th century AD.

[Nathan Robinson]