# Helmet of Constantine
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{{Short description|Lost relic of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great}}
[[File:Konstantinsmedaillon.jpg|thumb|Silver [medallion](/source/medallion) of 315; Constantine with a [chi-rho](/source/chi-rho) symbol as the crest of his helmet]]
The '''Helmet of Constantine''' was a form of helmet worn by the Roman Emperor [Constantine the Great](/source/Constantine_the_Great), now lost, which featured in his imperial [iconography](/source/iconography).[[Andreas Alföldi](/source/Andreas_Alf%C3%B6ldi), "The Helmet of Constantine with the Christian Monogram", ''The Journal of Roman Studies'', Vol. 22, Part 1: Papers Dedicated to Sir George Macdonald K.C.B. (1932), pp. 9-23, Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, [https://www.jstor.org/stable/297083 JSTOR]] According to a story recorded by [St. Ambrose](/source/St._Ambrose) and others, it included [relic](/source/relic)s gathered in the [Holy Land](/source/Holy_Land) by his mother, Empress St. Helena.[[https://books.google.com/books?id=_qQsA7gE6UoC&pg=PA200&lpg=PA200&dq ''Ambrose Of Milan: Political Letters And Speeches''], pp. 199-200] Constantine's conversion to [Christianity](/source/Christianity), which happened around AD 300, was of great importance. In this 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.[[Joe Nickell](/source/Joe_Nickell), ''Relics of Christ''][''A Dictionary of Christian Antiquities''.] This belief started a movement to find these [relics](/source/relics) to protect churches, cities, and even people.
==History==
At the time, Constantine I was thought to be protected due to the relic in his possession.{{cn|date=June 2020}} The helmet that he wore was said to have a piece of the [True Cross](/source/True_Cross) that [Jesus](/source/Jesus) was crucified on. After Constantine was made [Caesar](/source/Caesar_(title)), he issued the [Edict of Milan](/source/Edict_of_Milan) (313), 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.{{cn|date=June 2020}}
The helmet that Constantine wore included one of the [Holy Nails](/source/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 fulfil the prophecy of [Zechariah](/source/Zechariah_(Hebrew_prophet)).[[http://www.constantinethegreatcoins.com/ Constantine the Great coins], thesis, pp. 11-12] Constantine was very aware of this, and let the entire [Roman Empire](/source/Roman_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 shown wearing his helmet. This was one way that Constantine moved the Roman Empire away from the [pagan religion](/source/Religion_in_ancient_Rome) and towards [Christianity](/source/Christianity).[ There were also a few religious symbols that were placed on the helmet. The Christogram was placed on the helmet, which usually represented the cross, but at times it was interpreted as Jesus [Christ](/source/Christ_(title)) himself. Another one of these symbols was a [labarum](/source/labarum) piercing a [dragon](/source/dragon), a [serpent](/source/Serpent_(symbolism)). This was significant because the serpent was represented as the [Devil](/source/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](/source/Roman_Empire) had through military force, and God. The helmet was put on the coins to let everyone know of this.][[http://www.constantinethegreatcoins.com/ Constantine the Great coins]]
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.[[Andreas Alföldi](/source/Andreas_Alf%C3%B6ldi), ''The Helmet of Constantine With the Christian Monogram''.] 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.