Helmet of a murmillo
- Audio guide stop: 532
- Gallery: Room 69
- Culture: Roman
- Date: 1stC
- Object type: helmet, games/sporting equipment
- Materials: bronze
- Museum number: 1946,0514.1
- Museum: The British Museum
- Collection record: British Museum website
- Image © The Trustees of the British Museum, shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence.
Listen to the free audio guide
About this object
Before you is a Roman gladiator's helmet known as a murmillo. Crafted from bronze, it once belonged to a soldier in the arena, designed both for protection and identity.
Look closely at the face—there’s a protective grille made up of linked metal circles, letting the wearer see clearly while shielding their face from weapons. A wide brim curves over the crown, designed to guard the sides and back of the head.
At the helm’s front is a small but striking medallion depicting Hercules, a powerful symbol of strength in Roman culture. This finely made piece wasn't only a tool of war but also a declaration of identity and pride in the battlefield.
Found in Pompeii, it dates back to the first century. Despite its age, the detail remains clear, giving us a rare window into the life of Rome’s famed gladiators.
See it in person
Helmet of a murmillo is on display in Room 69 at the British Museum on Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London — free to enter. Choose British Museum on audioguide.london and type its audio guide stop number, 532, from the gallery label, or take a photo of it, to hear this free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
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