High-res images of legionaries

[Kολοσσός]

Those cheek plates on helmets are pretty cool. How come modern infantry doesn't wear a full helm anymore and keep the face exposed? A cheek plate won't stop a bullet but it will protect from blast effects.

[cmacq]

Over Specialization and MOPP. Because of the type of weapons commonly employed, with the greatest causality causing power, modern infantry body amour is not designed for that type of close combat.

[Geoffrey S]

Those cheek plates on helmets are pretty cool. How come modern infantry doesn't wear a full helm anymore and keep the face exposed? A cheek plate won't stop a bullet but it will protect from blast effects.

Pretty bad for spatial awareness through sight and sound.

[Akashic]

/me likey the first photo.

The second photo is strange...

[CirdanDharix]

To me, the pics on the second photo's shield look Christian. Is it me being nOObish or is that really the case?

[J.Alco]

The pic represents a legionary from the late Roman Empire, around 350-450 AD, so yes, the pics are Christian because the Roman Empire was Christian by that time. (If anybody can say the exact date when the empire made Christianity its official religion...?)

[Kολοσσός]

If anybody can say the exact date when the empire made Christianity its official religion...?

313 A.D. under emperor Constantine the Great.

[beatoangelico]

313 A.D. under emperor Constantine the Great.

wrong, 391 under Thedosius I. Constantine only allowed freedom of worship for all religions, including christianity.

[Intranetusa]

313 A.D. under emperor Constantine the Great.

Popular misconception...even RTW: BI get's it wrong lol.

wrong, 391 under Thedosius I. Constantine only allowed freedom of worship for all religions, including christianity.

Yup

[Watchman]

...you mean, like Mithra Slaying The Bull at the six o'clock position...?

[The General]

...you mean, like Mithra Slaying The Bull at the six o'clock position...?

Yeah, I noticed that one too...

>_>

[CaesarAugustus]

To me, the pics on the second photo's shield look Christian.

...you mean, like Mithra Slaying The Bull at the six o'clock position...?

[CirdanDharix]

...you mean, like Mithra Slaying The Bull at the six o'clock position...?

I was thinking of the angel (?) at 3 o'clock. Didn't notice that the lower picture was Mithras (though where's the serpent? am I just blind?).

[Watchman]

I was thinking of the angel (?) at 3 o'clock. Didn't notice that the lower picture was Mithras (though where's the serpent? am I just blind?).

Winged figures as deities or their messengers aren't exactly a new or specifically Christian thing you know... ancient Mesopotamians already portrayed several of their deities with wings, as did the Greeks.