The Romans were great engineers and inventors, which is reflected by the Roman swords. In ancient Rome, Gladius was the typical sword that emerged in the 3rd century BC. Because of its practicality and strategic characteristics, the Roman Gladius sword was identified as the best sword till the 2nd century AD.

Features of Gladius

The Celts and Celtiberians used this kind of weapon, which is also called the ‘antennae’ or ‘carp-tongue’ sword. For initiative attacks, these short and light Roman swords were quite practical, allowing the launch of an attack with exceptional speed. As they feature double edges, Gladius Swords were also suitable for cutting.

The Roman Gladius sword was around 50 cm in length. However longer versions were also there with a limit of 70 cm. The double-edged blade of Gladius was wide and straight.

The 5 cm tip of this weapon made it possible to plunge only the end of it into the enemy’s body which prevented it from being lodged in said body, and the speed of the combat was reduced consequently.

Varieties of Gladius

The oldest version of the sword is Roman Hispaniensis, which was used during the period of Punic Wars by the Celtiberians as well as other tribes. Shortly after, the Romans mimicked and advanced this Roman sword, shortening its blade to 50 cm, reducing weight and thus increasing the comfort level in use.

The modified version of Hispaniensis is Mainz, featuring a leaf length of around 50 to 60 cm. The name originated from the region where it was first found, Mainz, in Germany. This sword was shorter, featuring a blade that was narrower in the center.

Another Roman Gladius sword model is Pompeii, the most typical one. It got its name from Pompeii city, where the first canonical specimens were found. It features a shorter blade, generally staying within 50 cm. The blade edges were straight with a short tip.

What was the replacement for Gladius?

Spatha replaced Gladius at the end of the 2ndcentury. This weapon provided the advantage of distance as the Romans could now pierce their opponent’s armor before the enemy hit them.   

There are different forms of Roman swords, the earliest and most famous being the Gladius. The Roman Gladius sword is a short weapon, about 25 inches long. Initially the blades were about 22-24 inches in length with 3-5 inches hilts.

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