• PugJesus@lemmy.worldOPM
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      8
      ·
      1 month ago

      I always wonder about the story behind oddities like this. Was he buff, and it a pun? Or was it his nickname for an unrelated reason? Or did he just dig mice?

      In all cases, it’s an odd little humanizing piece of the past!

  • ArbitraryValue@sh.itjust.works
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    10
    ·
    1 month ago

    What’s the arched piece of metal over the forehead for? I thought that armor intended for combat use generally didn’t have things on it that would be easy for an opponent to grab.

    • PugJesus@lemmy.worldOPM
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      17
      ·
      edit-2
      1 month ago

      Helmet ridges were popular in certain regions and eras of the Empire to deflect downward-striking blows - the popularity of the ridge waxed and waned as it was needed. When the Romans encountered the Dacians with their long, curved-blade falx, ridged helmets became very popular, as a downward strike with the falx could glance off of one’s helmet… and smoothly slide down to gouge out a poor legionary’s eye, or poke into his soft, squishy brain. The ridge there causes a blow to lose momentum, or deflect outward, rather than letting it slide inwards towards the unprotected face.

    • PugJesus@lemmy.worldOPM
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      16
      ·
      1 month ago

      The flaring-out preserves range of neck movement while still protecting the neck, one of the easiest fleshy bits to get nicked and die from. All armor is made of compromises - usually uncomfortable ones! The cheekguards, missing on this helmet, would give a little more neck coverage from a cutting blade in tandem with the neck brim, leaving only a relatively narrow exposed bit that can be stabbed into.