The Montefortino type helmet, so called because its type find was discovered at the Necropolis at Montefortino, Italy, is the classic helmet associated with the Republican period. Originally of Celtic design, the Montefortino quickly found its way into usage in the legions of the Roman Republic. It privileges visibility over protection and incorporates a high crown that would deflect blows downward due to the curvature of the bowl. Helmets of this type had a shallow, sloped neck guard that also was intended to deflect potentially lethal blows away from the neck. As time wore on, neck guards grew larger and flatter. Cheek guards were also a feature of this helm, providing protection for the majority of the face, while leaving the nose and eyes uncovered. This helmet was made of copper alloys, initially bronze, and later under the early Empire, were made of brass, due to Augustus’ institution of using the metal orichalcum (modern brass) for Roman coinage, which conversely affected the metals available for military materiel.
While other Roman helmets may be more readily recognizable to the average movie-goer and more commonly associated with the Roman legions, due to costuming decisions of the popular media, the Montefortino helmet was the primary helmet worn by legionaries during the expansion phases of the Roman Empire. Caesar’s legions might have worn a mix of Montefortino and early Coolus helmets as they invaded Gaul and then advanced on Rome during the Civil Wars. The Montefortino’s usage lasted even as late as the civil war of 69 AD.
The Deepeeka Republican Montefortino (AH6050) is a newly revised design, incorporating advice from some of the finest of scholars and historians on the discussion board, Roman Army Talk. This model conforms most closely to the Montefortino A, which might have been worn by the legions that conquered Hannibal’s Carthage, and may even have remained in usage until the late Republic, being sported by Caesar’s and Pompey’s legions alike.