Unknown Helmet of Miltiades, 490 B.C., Bronze The Archaeological Museum of Olympia, Greece |
You might be able to make out his name, inscribed along the bottom lip of the helmet: ΜΙΛΤΙΑΔΕΣ, or MILTIADES in the Roman alphabet. Whether this is, in fact, the helmet of the Miltiades of Marathon fame isn't a hundred per cent certain: but the idea that the general who won the battle came to the greatest Greek sanctuary, at Olympia, and dedicated his helmet to Zeus has resonated with visitors to the site ever since it was discovered.