Gladius means ‘sword’ in Latin. Hence, a gladiator is the one who wields the sword. In ancient times, all kinds of
swords in Rome were referred to as gladius. However, modern historians now use the term
Gladius sword for a specific kind of Roman short sword. Read on to find more about the mighty Gladius.
Origin
Originally known as the ‘Gladius Hispaniensis’, this sword was the result of the Romans noticing and implementing the best ideas from different weapons they acquired after the second Punic War in 200 BC. These weapons were then improved and different adjustments were made to form the final
Gladius sword. For a very long time, the historians thought that the sword was directly procured from the Iberian Peninsula. However, evidence indicates it came on the scene earlier. The style may have been borrowed from the Celts or the Gauls. However, evidence indicated that the sword came much earlier and the actual origin of the sword’s design was Celtic. The Gladius became the general word for all types of swords and even the gladiators were also named after the same weapon. By the end of the second century AD, the Spatha replaced Gladius as the most famous sword amongst Romans.
Who used the Gladius?
This particular type of sword was used by the Roman soldiers and gladiators participating in Roman arenas in Colosseum. The gladiators only used the sword when they were armed with body shields.
The Design
The sword originally was a short straight sword with the length of 27 inches and a thickness of 2 inches. The sword widened toward the handle and gave it leaf blade curve. The sword’s blade had two sharp edges and a tapered point. Iron and carbon component was heated at over 1000° C and then shaped into a sword. The sword was either made with five iron pieces with higher carbon pieces toward the center making the sword very strong. Also, as the carbon content was lower in the outer pieces, the blade was malleable as well. Such swords were usually 23 inches. Other swords with wasp waist were made from a single metal piece and were about 15 inches in length.
Purpose
Gladius was a multi-purpose sword. The short design combined with the sharp point was perfect for thrusting and stabbing. The tapered point of the sword was so sharp that it could even penetrate the armor of the opponent. The double-edged blade, on the other hand, was great for cutting and slashing, making it an ideal all-around weapon.
Gladius Hilt
The tang of the Gladius comprised of three pieces, the hilt, grip, and pommel. The hilt was round and designed with ridges that can provide a comfortable grip for 4 fingers. The pommel was bulbous and was often embellished for the infantry officers.
Embellishments
There was a trend of decorating and customizing the Gladius blade back then. The infantry officers often used crest as decorations. The soldiers with high status and ranking also engraved their names on the blade.
Scabbards
Gladius was often sheathed in a scabbard which was either fixed and carried on the belt or shoulder strap of the soldier. The scabbards were made from wood wrapped with leather and was then further decorated with a brass or iron frame.
Different Types
The Gladius sword came in different types. Romans came into contact with different enemies and their weapons as a result of wars with them. This inspired them to make gradual improvements in the designs based on the requirements of the Roman army. The types included the Mainz, Fulham, Pompeii and Gladius Graecus which were named according to the areas they were discovered in.
The Gladius Graecus was a short sword with a leaf shape and was originally used by the people of Ancient Greek
The Mainz was shorter than Hispaniensis and had a slight waist and a long point.
The Fulham did not have the distinct leaf shape and instead, its parallel edges formed a triangular pointed end.
The Pompeii was a short sword of around 20 inches and had a parallel edge with a triangular tip.
Gladius is perhaps one of the renowned Roman swords of all time. If you want to be the owner of your very own
Gladius sword, visit
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