Bronze helmet

From: Corinth, south-central Greece
Date: around 460 BC

Each Greek city-state was defended mainly by its own citizens. Soldiers had to buy their own armour and it was very expensive. The richer foot soldiers, who could afford the best armour, were called hoplites, and they played an important role in the army.

This Corinthian helmet would have been worn by a hoplite. It has been made from a single piece of bronze and shows the skill of Greek metalworkers. Can you see some letters around the bottom edge? They say that the people who lived in Argos won the helmet in battle from the Corinthians.