Galea (helmet)

A galea ([ˈɡaɫea], from Greek γαλέη, galéē, "weasel, marten")[1] was a Roman soldier's metal helmet, most famously worn by the heavy infantry of the legions.

Some gladiators, specifically murmillo (myrmillo), also wore bronze galeae with face masks and decorations, often a fish on its crest.

The exact form, type of metal, and design of the helmet varied over time, between differing unit types, and also between individual examples – pre-industrial production was by hand – so it is not certain to what degree there was any standardization even under the Roman Empire.

The Greeks in the south also influenced Roman design in its early history.

H. Russell Robinson in his book The Armour of Imperial Rome, published in 1975, classified into broad divisions the various forms of helmets that were found.