Helmet of Constantine
Encyclopedia
The Helmet of Constantine was an item that was made from the relics gathered by St. Helena
. Constantine
’s conversion to Christianity, which happened around AD 300, was one of great importance. During this time period it was believed that touching the body of the deceased or even something that came in contact with the person who had died, was said to have special powers. This belief started a huge obsession with finding these relics to protect temples, cities, and even people.
was one of these people who was, as they thought, protected because he had a relic in his possession. The helmet that he wore had a piece of the cross that Jesus was crucified on. After Constantine was made Caesar
, he issued the Edict of Milan
, sending his mother Helena to find the True Cross
and to send back what she found. Helena found the cross and sent three nails that were used in the crucifixion of Jesus back to Rome and her son Constantine. These nails were considered relics and Constantine used them to stay safe.
The helmet that Constantine wore was no ordinary helmet. It was made with one of the Holy Nails that Saint Helena
found at the crucifixion site. By making the helmet with one of the nails, it was supposed to protect him from any harm. Not only was it a sign of protection, but it was also said to fulfill the prophecy of Zechariah. The prophecy located in the fourteenth chapter of Zechariah
said that one would come who engraved “Holiness to the Lord” on both the bells of the horses and head piece of the man. At this time, the Roman emperor
had the holiest relics known to man.
away from the pagan religion and towards Christianity
. The coins that were made after Constantine acquired his helmet showed that the nail was not the only thing that made his helmet religious. Constantine also had the monogram of Christ inscribed on the helmet. There were also a few religious symbols that were placed on the helmet. The chi-rho symbol was placed on the helmet, which usually represented the cross, but at times it was interpreted as Jesus Christ himself. Another one of these symbols was a labarum piercing a dragon, a serpent. This was significant because the serpent was represented as the devil. But it was also the symbol for any enemy that the Roman Empire had. Constantine’s helmet stood for the strength that the Roman Empire
had through military force, and God. The helmet was put on the coins to let everyone know of this.
Constantine’s helmet was mainly a crown that was fastened to the head by two clamps. The majority of the helmet was made out of iron and gold. Constantine thought having the chi-roh symbol on the helmet would give him added protection to that of the relic that was already in the helmet. The crown that was made with the nail was placed around a full helmet when the Emperor went into battle, but could easily be taken off. It was called a helmet however he wore it though. This is because of the two clamps that held it in place. If these two clamps were not on the original crown it would not be called a helmet at all.
Helena of Constantinople
Saint Helena also known as Saint Helen, Helena Augusta or Helena of Constantinople was the consort of Emperor Constantius, and the mother of Emperor Constantine I...
. Constantine
Constantine I
Constantine the Great , also known as Constantine I or Saint Constantine, was Roman Emperor from 306 to 337. Well known for being the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity, Constantine and co-Emperor Licinius issued the Edict of Milan in 313, which proclaimed religious tolerance of all...
’s conversion to Christianity, which happened around AD 300, was one of great importance. During this time period it was believed that touching the body of the deceased or even something that came in contact with the person who had died, was said to have special powers. This belief started a huge obsession with finding these relics to protect temples, cities, and even people.
History
ConstantineConstantine I
Constantine the Great , also known as Constantine I or Saint Constantine, was Roman Emperor from 306 to 337. Well known for being the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity, Constantine and co-Emperor Licinius issued the Edict of Milan in 313, which proclaimed religious tolerance of all...
was one of these people who was, as they thought, protected because he had a relic in his possession. The helmet that he wore had a piece of the cross that Jesus was crucified on. After Constantine was made Caesar
Caesar (title)
Caesar is a title of imperial character. It derives from the cognomen of Julius Caesar, the Roman dictator...
, he issued the Edict of Milan
Edict of Milan
The Edict of Milan was a letter signed by emperors Constantine I and Licinius that proclaimed religious toleration in the Roman Empire...
, sending his mother Helena to find the True Cross
True Cross
The True Cross is the name for physical remnants which, by a Christian tradition, are believed to be from the cross upon which Jesus was crucified.According to post-Nicene historians, Socrates Scholasticus and others, the Empress Helena The True Cross is the name for physical remnants which, by a...
and to send back what she found. Helena found the cross and sent three nails that were used in the crucifixion of Jesus back to Rome and her son Constantine. These nails were considered relics and Constantine used them to stay safe.
The helmet that Constantine wore was no ordinary helmet. It was made with one of the Holy Nails that Saint Helena
Saint Helena
Saint Helena , named after St Helena of Constantinople, is an island of volcanic origin in the South Atlantic Ocean. It is part of the British overseas territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha which also includes Ascension Island and the islands of Tristan da Cunha...
found at the crucifixion site. By making the helmet with one of the nails, it was supposed to protect him from any harm. Not only was it a sign of protection, but it was also said to fulfill the prophecy of Zechariah. The prophecy located in the fourteenth chapter of Zechariah
Book of Zechariah
The Book of Zechariah is the penultimate book of the twelve minor prophets in the Hebrew and Christian Bible, attributed to the prophet Zechariah.-Historical context:...
said that one would come who engraved “Holiness to the Lord” on both the bells of the horses and head piece of the man. At this time, the Roman emperor
Roman Emperor
The Roman emperor was the ruler of the Roman State during the imperial period . The Romans had no single term for the office although at any given time, a given title was associated with the emperor...
had the holiest relics known to man.
Studies
Constantine was very aware of this, and let the entire empire know that he was the owner of this holy helmet. The emperor had coins made with the image of him wearing his helmet on the front. On every VLLP coin that was made, Constantine was showed wearing his helmet. This was one way that Constantine moved the Roman EmpireRoman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
away from the pagan religion and towards Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
. The coins that were made after Constantine acquired his helmet showed that the nail was not the only thing that made his helmet religious. Constantine also had the monogram of Christ inscribed on the helmet. There were also a few religious symbols that were placed on the helmet. The chi-rho symbol was placed on the helmet, which usually represented the cross, but at times it was interpreted as Jesus Christ himself. Another one of these symbols was a labarum piercing a dragon, a serpent. This was significant because the serpent was represented as the devil. But it was also the symbol for any enemy that the Roman Empire had. Constantine’s helmet stood for the strength that the Roman Empire
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
had through military force, and God. The helmet was put on the coins to let everyone know of this.
Constantine’s helmet was mainly a crown that was fastened to the head by two clamps. The majority of the helmet was made out of iron and gold. Constantine thought having the chi-roh symbol on the helmet would give him added protection to that of the relic that was already in the helmet. The crown that was made with the nail was placed around a full helmet when the Emperor went into battle, but could easily be taken off. It was called a helmet however he wore it though. This is because of the two clamps that held it in place. If these two clamps were not on the original crown it would not be called a helmet at all.