Greek & Roman Armor

The armor of the classical world, in one place: the Spartan and Corinthian helmets of the Greek hoplite, the round hoplon shield, the Roman legionary's galea helmet and curved scutum, and the gladiator's arena helm. Everything here is wearable steel built for a display stand, a wall or a full kit, and the matching swords and spears sit one click away.

Greek and Spartan armor

A Greek hoplite fought behind a large round shield, the hoplon or aspis, with a bronze helmet that covered the whole face except for a narrow T-shaped opening. The Corinthian pattern is the one everyone recognizes, and the Spartan version, with its horsehair crest, is the same helmet worn by the most famous infantry of the ancient world. Our Spartan and Corinthian helmets are hammered steel rather than costume plastic, the Spartan shield carries the lambda of Lacedaemon, and the full Spartan suit of armor gathers helmet, shield and cuirass into one piece.

Roman armor

The legionary's kit was built for formation fighting: the galea helmet with its wide neck guard and hinged cheek pieces, and the scutum, the tall curved shield that turned a century of men into a moving wall. The gladiator helmet is a different object, an arena piece with a full face grille and a crest, made to be seen from the stands. Both helmet patterns are here in steel, along with the Roman scutum and the Roman bundle that pairs them with a gladius.

Choosing classical armor

For the wall. A Corinthian helmet on a stand or a Spartan shield hung flat is a finished display on its own. Match the culture of the blade beside it: a xiphos or kopis for Greece, a gladius for Rome.

For wearing. Check the interior measurements on each helmet listing and the strap arrangement on each shield. A padded arming cap makes any steel helmet sit properly. The Spartan suit of armor lists its sizing on the product page, and the wider range of wearable kits is in the suits of armor collection.

For a complete kit. The Spartan, Greek and Roman bundles combine armor with the matching sword, and often a stand, at a lower price than buying the pieces separately.

Frequently asked questions

What armor did the Spartans wear?
A bronze Corinthian-style helmet, often crested, a bronze or linen cuirass, greaves on the shins, and the large round hoplon shield. Later Spartans simplified the helmet to the open pilos pattern, but the crested Corinthian helm is the one that defines Spartan armor today.

What is the difference between a Spartan helmet and a Corinthian helmet?
The Corinthian helmet is the type; Spartan helmet usually means a Corinthian helmet with a horsehair crest, the version associated with Sparta. Both cover the face and leave a narrow opening for the eyes and mouth.

What is a scutum?
The Roman legionary's shield: tall, rectangular and curved to wrap around the body, with a central iron boss. It was the shield of the testudo formation.

Are these helmets and shields real steel?
Yes. Every helmet and shield in this collection is hammered steel, wearable, and built to take the knocks of reenactment as well as the years of a display shelf.

Can I get the matching sword?
Yes. Greek swords, the gladius and the hoplite spear are in their own collections, and the bundles here pair the armor with the blade directly.