BIBLE HISTORY DAILY

Greek Warrior’s Helmet Found in Bay of Haifa

Bible and archaeology news

Archaeologists with the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) report that a Greek warrior’s helmet recovered from the Bay of Haifa likely belonged to a Greek mercenary who fought for the Egyptian pharaoh Necho II around 600 B.C.E. Discovered in 2007 during a commercial dredging operation, the bronze helmet, which has now been conserved, is covered with gold leaf and decorated with depictions of snakes, lions and a palmette. “The gilding and figural ornaments make this one of the most ornate pieces of early Greek armor discovered,” wrote Jacob Sharvit, director of the IAA’s Marine Archaeology Unit. Stylistic parallels date the helmet to around 600 B.C.E., a time when the Egyptian pharaoh employed Greek mercenaries in his struggle against the growing power of Babylon.*

Archaeologists with the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) report that a Greek warrior’s helmet recovered from the Bay of Haifa likely belonged to a Greek mercenary who fought for the Egyptian pharaoh Necho II around 600 B.C.E.