This remarkable Corinthian-style helmet from the Battle of Marathon was reputedly unearthed in 1834 with a human skull still inside.
It is now part of the Royal Ontario Museum’s collections, but, originally, it was discovered by George Nugent-Grenville, who was the British High Commissioner of the Ionian Islands between 1832 to 1835.
A keen antiquarian, Nugent-Grenville carried out a number of rudimentary archaeological excavations in Greece, one of which took place on the Plains of Marathon, where the helmet was uncovered.
A pivotal moment in Ancient Greek history, the Battle of Marathon saw a smaller Greek force, mainly made up of Athenian troops, defeat an invading Persian army. There were numerous casualties, and it appears that this helmet belonged to a Greek hoplite (soldier) who died during the fierce and bloody battle.
The Athenian army under General Miltiades consisted almost entirely of hoplites in bronze armor, using primarily spears and large bronze shields. They fought in tight formations called phalanxes and literally slaughtered the lightly-clad Persian infantry in close combat. The hoplite style of fighting would go on to epitomize ancient Greek warfare.
Helmet speaks volumes about warfare at the Marathon Battle
The helmet itself is a pristine example of the Corinthian type, one of the most recognizable and enduring symbols of ancient Greek military might. Crafted from a single piece of bronze, it protected the wearer’s entire head, enveloping the face with distinct eye and mouth openings.
Weighing approximately 1193.1 grams, its construction speaks volumes about the priorities of hoplite warfare. The face, particularly the nasal piece, is remarkably thick, up to 10 mm in places, while other facial areas range between 2 mm and 3 mm.
In contrast, the back and crown thin out to less than a millimeter, with thicker edges, a design strategy that maximized protection where it was most needed against spear thrusts and blows encountered in the tight formations of the phalanx. This robust design, while sacrificing peripheral vision, underscored the emphasis on frontal defense and the relentless forward momentum characteristic of hoplite combat.
What is the association between the helmet and the skull from the Marathon Battle?
Despite the helmet’s undeniable authenticity as a Corinthian type from the period, the precise association between this skull and the specific helmet from the Battle of Marathon remains a subject of ongoing historical and scientific intrigue.
The primary point of contention revolves around the reliability of the 19th-century discovery and subsequent chain of custody. A century elapsed between Nugent-Grenville’s reported find and the ROM’s acquisition, raising questions as to the fidelity of the information passed down through various hands.
One school of thought champions the authenticity of the find. Nugent-Grenville was a respected antiquarian, and the discovery of a helmet with a skull inside from such a renowned battlefield would have been a truly sensational event even then. There is no readily available evidence to suggest he fabricated such a momentous find.
A note of caution about the skull
Conversely, some historical and archaeological perspectives inject a note of caution. The Greeks were the victors at Marathon, and it was customary for triumphant armies to recover their dead and reclaim valuable equipment. The finding of a helmet with a skull still inside implies that the body and its gear were left behind, a scenario perhaps less common for the victorious side.
Additionally, bronze helmets were prized possessions, often passed down through generations, making their burial with a soldier less common in certain contexts. The helmet itself shows only age-related wear and tear, not battle damage that would unequivocally point to a violent death with the helmet remaining on the head. Moreover, while the skull was found, the rest of the body was not, a factor that, while potentially explained by decomposition, adds to the ambiguity.
Recognizing these uncertainties, the ROM has acknowledged that a modern DNA and radiocarbon study of the skull could provide definitive answers regarding its age and even link it to ancient Greek populations. While such a study is not currently planned, it represents a crucial future avenue for research that could conclusively resolve the mystery surrounding the skull’s authenticity and its direct connection to the Battle of Marathon.
Such an analysis, if performed, could also offer insights into the warrior’s diet, health, and potential origins, further enriching our understanding of a hoplite’s life and death.
Battle of Marathon saved Western civilization
It was in September of the year 490 BC when just 42 kilometers (26 miles) on the outskirts of Athens, a vastly outnumbered army of brave soldiers saved their city from the invading Persian army in the Battle of Marathon.
However, as the course of history shows, in the Battle of Marathon, they saved more than just their own city: they saved Athenian democracy itself, and consequently, protected the course of Western civilization.
According to historian Richard Billows and his well-researched book Marathon: How One Battle Changed Western Civilization, in one single day in 490 BC, the Athenian army under General Miltiades changed the course of civilization.
It is very unlikely that world civilization would be the same today if the Persians had defeated the Athenians at Marathon. The mighty army of Darius I would have conquered Athens and established Persian rule there, ending the newborn Athenian democracy of Pericles.
In effect, this would certainly have destroyed the idea of democracy as it had developed in Athens at the time. The Battle of Marathon lasted only two hours, ending with the Persian army breaking in panic toward their ships and the Athenians continuing to slay them as they fled.
In his book, however, Billows calls the Battle of Marathon a “miraculous victory” for the Greeks. The victory was not as easy as is often portrayed by many historians. After all, the Persian army had never before been defeated.
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