Was The Viking Horn Helmet Real?

Growing up as a kid you probably imaginedthe myths going was the ancient Romans and
yourself at one point or another as a maraudingGreeks who came back from Britain saying the
Viking warrior. Of course, naturally you had yoursoldiers and people wore outlandish headdresses
impressive horned helmet carried into battle asand helmets.
well. But is this helmet a myth popularized byAlso, Roman generals and soldiers claimed that
Hollywood, or is there some historical fact to it?the Gauls and Germanic tribes often wore
All archaeological evidence suggests that Vikinghelmets with horns or antlers, and often whole
warriors did not wear horns on their helmets.animals on their heads for intimidation. This part
Of course, there are practical reasons for this asmay be accurate to some extent, but it does not
well. Any battle smart warrior would know thatmean the Vikings raided towns with their
having horns jetting out from your helmet wouldfearsome helmets. However, this is probably
give the enemy a place to grasp and throw youwhere the Viking Horn helmet came into being. Of
around. In battle, Vikings wore standard Suttoncourse, this tradition and myth was passed down
Hoo type helmets that did not have horns. Beforefrom generation to generation by stories and
the horn myth was made popular, Viking helmetspictures.
were shown to have wings on them. This is alsoIn the modern world, Viking helmets are
not historically accurate.But where did theseportrayed with horns not because they are
myths come from? Old texts suggest thathistorically accurate, but because they make good
priests may have worn headdresses with hornslooking costumes. Who wouldn't want an
for religious ceremonies. They may have beenintimidating, blood thirsty Viking warrior wearing a
worn for decorations as well. However, what gothorned helmet?