Archaeologists have uncovered a 2,200-year-old Roman helmet during an underwater survey near the Aegadian Islands, off the western coast of Sicily. The rare find is linked to the First Punic War, fought between 264 and 241 BC, when Rome and Carthage battled for dominance in the western Mediterranean.
Helmet tied to decisive clash
Experts believe the helmet is connected to the Battle of the Aegates, a naval confrontation fought on March 10, 241 BC. The clash brought the First Punic War to an end. Rome’s victory forced Carthage to surrender Sicily, pay heavy reparations, and recognize Rome’s growing influence as a Mediterranean power.
Montefortino type helmet
The helmet has been identified as a Montefortino type, one of the most widely used helmets in the Roman army. This model, in service from about 300 BC through the first century AD, became a standard issue for Roman soldiers. The example found in Sicily is notable for its preservation, with both cheekpieces still intact.
Distinctive design
Montefortino helmets are recognized by their conical bronze body, mushroom-shaped knob at the crown, flared rims, and protective neck guards.
#MacmArtFocus Bronze montefortino type helmet, 4th-3rd century BC. pic.twitter.com/KOS0KMVd2D
— MACM (@MACMougins) September 20, 2016
Built for practicality and strength, they were also designed for efficient production, allowing Rome to equip large armies during its campaigns.
Cultural influences and later use
The helmet type takes its name from the region of Montefortino. Its earliest forms show strong Celtic and Etruscan influence. While eventually replaced by the Coolus helmet, the Montefortino remained in use for decades and continued to appear in the equipment of Rome’s Praetorian Guard.
Ongoing seabed research
For more than 15 years, Sicily’s Superintendency of the Sea has carried out systematic surveys of the seabed around the Aegadian Islands. Working with professional divers and maritime archaeologists, the project has uncovered a wealth of artifacts from one of antiquity’s most important naval theaters.
A trove of war relics
The discoveries include armor, weapons, pottery, and dozens of Montefortino helmets scattered across the seafloor. The most remarkable finds are bronze rams, or rostra, once fixed to the prows of warships. These rams, used to pierce enemy hulls, represent the largest and most complete collection ever recovered.
Insight into ancient warfare
The newly recovered helmet adds to this expanding record of the First Punic War. Its state of preservation, combined with the site of its discovery, provides direct evidence of the gear used by Roman soldiers in one of the Mediterranean’s defining conflicts.
