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CelticWebMerchant.co.uk, online shop in historical replica's for re-enactment, collectors & museums Our Roman Gladiator Sword is crafted in the world famous Art Gladius factory in Toledo, Spain. The gilded hilt is heavily adorned with Roman style reliefs and features the letters SPQR (Senātus Populus que Rōmānus) on the guard. The large pommel is topped with an Imperial Eagle (Aquila). The Pompeii style stainless steel blade is richly adorned with engravings. This sword is designed for display only. It was of course common for the gladiators to have a class or a style of gladiator that they would fight as. This class, like a thraex or a murmillo would determine exactly the weapons these gladiators would use, so each class had it own unique weapon or set of weapons. Not only the sword itself is impressive, but also its scabbard. The scabbard of the Gladiator Spiculus has been designed true to historical reproduction with wood and lined with reddish-brown dyed leather. Gold hardware adds a touch of elegance, while raised images of a lion and gladiator make it a truly unique piece. Ramsay, Syed (2016). Tools of War: History of Weapons in Ancient Times. India: Vij Books. ISBN 978-938-601-980-6.
In the early days, most gladiators were prisoners or enslaved people from places that Rome was fighting wars with. And what you wore when you fought in a gladiator contest depended on where you came from. There were three main sorts: Samnites (from Italy), Gauls (from France) and Thracians (from what is now Bulgaria). And they hadn’t quite made it to arenas yet. Those original funeral fights usually took place in Rome’s cattle market. Let’s hope they avoided a pat on the head. They were the pop stars of their day Even ancient Greek writings from the father of history, Herodotus himself, talked about the Thracians and Illyrians and their very unique swords. Gladii were two-edged for cutting and had a tapered point for stabbing during thrusting. A solid grip was provided by a knobbed hilt added on, possibly with ridges for the fingers. Blade strength was achieved by welding together strips, in which case the sword had a channel down the center, or by fashioning a single piece of high-carbon steel, rhomboidal in cross-section. The owner's name was often engraved or punched on the blade.The crowds weren’t just offered sword-fighting. The day would start with men, called venatores, fighting wild animals such as bears and lions. Then there would be public executions of criminals at noon, with the gladiator battles taking place in the afternoon. Spartacus used a Sica sword as he was part of the Thraex, the ferocious gladiators that originated from Thracia. It is said that as soon as Spartacus entered gladiator school, he immediately made sure to get a Sica sword. He was well-skilled with it and made himself a fan favorite with his very deadly slashes and bloody fights. Conclusion The Roman short sword was further reduced to around 42 to 55 centimeters, making it a lighter and faster weapon. The Pompeii gladius would serve the Roman Army until the mid-2nd century CE before the longer sword spatha replaced it. Characteristics of the Roman Gladius Sword Gladius and scabbard mounts – of the ‘Pompeii’ type (50-100 AD) ( Source) The “ Spanish sword” of the Republican legionary, the gladius Hispaniensis was the earliest type of Roman short sword. It was the longest of the three blades, measuring between 64 and 69 centimeters long and around 4 to 5.5 centimeters wide. It had a narrow blade with a long point and a large pommel at the end of the hilt which served as a counterweight. 2. Mainz Gladius ( Source) The short sword served as the primary blade of the Roman legionary and auxiliary infantry for more than three centuries. By the 2nd century CE, the spatha, a longer cavalry sword, replaced short swords of all kinds.
The Roman soldiers provided their own gladius sword for service, most probably bought from retiring soldiers or military suppliers. Hence, they also personalized their blades and scabbards to indicate ownership. Manufacturers tended to stamp sword blades, but individual sword owners marked them differently with some scratching their name into the metal or forming the letters out of a series of dots.
They didn’t always fight to the death
Today, it is not uncommon to see modern reenactments of Roman battles, whether by Hollywood filmmakers or in live-action role-play (LARP) combat. There are several replicas of the Roman short swords often for display purposes and cinematic props. Today, modern-day swordplay gives the actual appearance of war and reminds us of the legacy of the gladius. Conclusion With a blade length of about 48 centimeters, it is similar to its Roman predecessor but with a heavy blade, making it used less for combat. In 1831, the French produced a new version and it was later copied by the Americans. The Roman Gladius Sword in Modern Times Livy's term ( link). Most authors use the term gladius Hispaniensis but a few use Livy's term, Hispanus. Both are adjectives of the same meaning, that is, they refer to Hispania, or the Iberian Peninsula. The craftsmen with the strategic task of making the gladii were called gladiarii. They were part of the Roman legions as fabri, enjoying the status of immunes. There were also public workshops, fabricae, dedicated to the making of the gladii. Epigraphic attestations of the gladiarii have been found in Italy, especially in areas of ancient metallurgic tradition such as Capua and Aquileia. [18] Description [ edit ]
One of the outstanding features of this sword is its sharp carbon steel blade, which measures 61 cm in length. This extra length provides additional reach, which is crucial at critical moments in mortal combat. Despite its larger size, the sword is still surprisingly light, weighing less than 910g. This allows it to be wielded with surprising ease, giving the warrior an advantage in terms of speed and precision.The Roman centurion was a commander of a centuria—a unit that consisted of 100 men. A Roman legion had 60 centurions, who distinguished themselves from lower-ranked soldiers by wearing their gladius on their left. A commander typically drew his centurion gladius across himself to achieve the same end. During the time of Julius Caesar, centurions already wore their gladius on the left side of their body, as shown on their gravestones the next century. A scissor fought with a specialized short knife with two blades in the shape of an open pair of scissors without the hinge. The Functional Spiculus Gladiator Sword is the perfect weapon for those who wish to immerse themselves in the time of the Roman gladiators. Crafted with precision and attention to detail, this gladius is true to historical authenticity, but has also been enhanced for exceptional performance on the battlefield. The Fulham gladius or Mainz-Fulham gladius was a Roman sword that was used after Aulus Plautius' invasion of Britain in 43 AD. [24] The Romans used it until the end of the 1st century. The Fulham gladius has a triangular tip. The length of the blade is 50–55cm (20–22in). The length of the sword is 65–70cm (26–28in). The width of the blade is 6cm (2.4in). The swords weighs 700g (1.5lb) (wooden hilt). [25] [26] A full size replica can be seen at Fulham Palace, Fulham. The brand behind this impressive sword is Windlass Steel Crafts, a trusted and recognized name in the industry. Their commitment to quality and authenticity is reflected in every detail of the Gladiator Spiculus.
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