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Ancient Greek Helmet Set for Auction with High Expectations

An extraordinary ancient Greek helmet is set to be auctioned, with estimates suggesting it could fetch up to £90,000 (approx. $111,000). Dating back to between 500 and 450 B.C.E., this helmet is touted as “one of the best preserved specimens” available in recent years, according to the listing from Apollo Art Auctions.

This particular helmet is known as a Corinthian helmet, easily recognizable by its distinct almond-shaped eye holes, large cheek-pieces, and a prominent nose-guard. Apollo Art Auctions has also noted that the artifact features tiny holes designed for securing helmet liners with metal fasteners.

The name Corinthian comes from Corinth, an influential city-state located approximately 50 miles west of Athens. Flourishing from around the eighth century B.C.E. onward, Corinth became an important commercial center due to its advantageous coastal position, fertile land, and abundant natural resources. Over the years, Corinth and Athens developed a fierce competition for trade and power, leading to heightened tensions in the region, as noted by the Encyclopedia Britannica. After its decline, Corinth was destroyed by Roman general Lucius Mummius in 146 B.C.E., but a century later was refounded by Julius Caesar as a Roman colony, which contributes to the extensive ruins visible today.

The city’s dual reputation for culture and military might is well-documented; however, historians acknowledge there is “no clear evidence” indicating the Corinthian helmet style originated in the city itself. Similar designs were utilized by warriors across various Greek city-states, as highlighted by academic studies.

The helmet poised for auction is described as “a rare and exceptionally well-preserved bronze Greek helmet, possibly associated with a Spartan warrior,” offering insight into the skill and artistry characteristic of ancient Greek craftsmanship, remarks Ivan Bonchev, director of Apollo Art Auctions, in an interview with Live Science.

Scheduled for sale on January 25, the helmet is among nearly 500 items in the auction, anticipated to be the highest-priced item within the collection.

Experts suggest that this helmet likely belonged to a hoplite, a type of heavily armed foot soldier central to ancient Greek military formations. As noted by Greek Reporter‘s Filio Kontrafouri, “The hoplite is one of the quintessential images associated with ancient Greece,” with the helmet’s iconic design being further popularized through films like 300 and Troy.

Corinthian helmets were typically lined with padding to provide comfort and protection during battle. Elite variants often featured decorative accents such as horse-hair crests, vibrant paint, and intricate carvings.

Notably, Corinthian helmets are admired for their distinct shape, featuring a domed top, flaring neck guard, and elongated eye openings. Hannah Solomon, an ancient art and antiquities expert at Christie’s, praised their design, noting it carries a “lyrical nature” and has an aesthetic beauty on par with other celebrated ancient artifacts.

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