
A rare and extremely well-preserved Corinthian type helmet used by many hoplite warriors in ancient Greece is up for auction later this month in London.
The artifact is among an array of 499 items scheduled to be auctioned on January 25 by the Apollo Art Auctions company, including fine antiquities, marbles, seals and jewelry from the Egyptian, Roman, Greek, Viking, Western Asiatic and Medieval cultures. The items range between 9th century BC to 14th century AD.
The ancient Greek helmet, which has become an emblem of the ancient world and is the most expensive lot in the auction’s catalogue, is expected to sell for between $72,000 to $108,000 and dates to 500-450 BC. The auction house describes it as a “fantastic Greek Corinthian hoplite bronze helmet, likely cast and then hammered into shape, belongs to a type known as Corinthian, characterized by almond-shaped eye holes, large cheek-pieces and a wide-nose guard. This type also features holes for rivets or metal fasteners, intended to secure liners.”
The helmet, according to Apollo Art Auctions is in “perfect, not restored condition,” with a smooth green patina and one of the “best preserved specimens in the market for the last several years.” It comes from a private collection in the UK and the Arts Loss Register has confirmed it is not stolen or missing, according to the auction house’s website.
The Corinthian helmet took its name from the ancient Greek city-state of Corinth, located in what is now modern Peloponnese. Later styles covered the entire neck and head, with slits for the eyes and mouth. Out of combat, a Greek hoplite would wear the helmet tipped upward for comfort. Corinth during ancient times was famous both for its culture and warfare. However Live Science reports that there is no clear evidence that this style was developed in Corinth and gives reference to Anthony Snodgrass, an archaeologist at the University of Cambridge, who wrote that such helmets were used by many warriors in ancient Greek city-states, including Sparta. In fact, Ivan Bonchev, director of Apollo Art Auctions, told Live Science that the ancient Greek helmet is “possibly linked to a Spartan warrior, offering a glimpse into the artistry and craftmanship of ancient Greece.”
Well-preserved Corinthian helmets are rare, yet numerous have been excavated at archaeological sites, especially in remnants.

Some different types of ancient Greek helmets
The hoplite is one of the quintessential images associated with ancient Greece, and no part of the hoplite panoply is more iconic than his helmet, made even more famous by films like 300 and Troy.
The Corinthian helmet is what most people tend to think of when they picture an ancient Greek helmet in their minds. However, over the course of history, the ancient Greeks developed and used a wide variety of helmets as the rest of their arms and armor also evolved.
Some of these armor pieces prioritized protection, whereas others sought to strike a balance between defense and situational awareness, which was also important on the battlefield. The helmets worn by wealthy and influential ancient Greeks could be highly decorative affairs, featuring colorful plumes, horsehair crests, and intricate designs, whereas those owned by the rank and file were much plainer.

The Corinthian helmet, the quintessential symbol of the Classical hoplite
The Corinthian helmet is possibly the most recognizable helmet design in history, featuring prominently on university logos, military insignias, and brands around the world.
The ancient Greeks themselves seem to have been big fans of the Corinthian type and chose to depict it in more sculptures and pottery designs than any other helmet, even after it was supplanted by other helmet designs over time.
Its heyday was in the Archaic and early Classical periods. The design appeared around the end of the 8th century BC and was used in some capacity until the 1st century AD.
The main advantage of the helmet, besides its obvious aesthetic appeal, was that it offered the wearer a superior degree of protection. Most variants of the helmet provided coverage for the whole head and face, although this came at the cost of situational awareness since vision and hearing were impaired.

The Pilos helmet, the ugly duckling of ancient Greek helmets
Although the Spartans are most closely associated with the iconic Corinthian helmet in the popular imagination, largely due to Gerard Butler’s depiction of Leonidas in the movie 300, some historians have theorized that from around the 5th century BC, they may have instead opted for the humble Pilos helmet.
It is believed that this particular design was inspired by the pileus hat, which was commonly worn in Arhaeic and Classical Greece. The hat may have been worn under the helmet to provide extra padding and comfort.
Admittedly, the Pilos is not much to look at it and does not boast the aesthetic appeal of other ancient Greek helmets. However, it did offer an unobstructed view of the battlefield and was cheaper to manufacture than more complicated designs.

The Chalcidian helmet
The Chalcidian helmet was particularly popular in ancient Grece between the fourth and fifth centuries BC. It struck a good balance between offering its wearer protection and situational awareness in the heat of battle.
The modern name for this ancient Greek helmet is based on the belief that the design originated from the Euboean city of Chalcis after a piece of pottery was discovered depicting it. However, there is not much evidence as to where the design originated from. It may have been a derivative of the Corinthian helmet.
The inclusion of cheekpieces, a neck guard, and a nasal bar, meant that the Chalcidian helmet offered more protection than minimalist styles like the Pilos, but also offered greater situational awareness than the Corinthian.