Gladius

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This is about the gladius weapon. For the 2003 video game Gladius, see Gladius (video game).

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Gladius is Latin for "sword" (in general). Today it refers specifically to the short sword, 60 cm (22 inches) long 6 to 7 cm wide and 3 pounds (1.4 kg) in weight, used by Roman legionaries from the 3rd century BC (based on the swords of the Celtiberians) and designed specifically for making short, powerful thrusts.

1 Etymology
2 Description
3 Scabbard
4 Types
5 Symbolism
6 Notes
7 References
8 External links
9 See also

[edit] Etymology

The name is a Latin o stem, its plural being gladii. The diminutive form, gladiolus, is also the name of a flowering plant with sword-shaped leaves.

The term is of Celtic origin, from Gaulish *kladyos, cognate to Welsh cleddyf and Breton kleze (Old Irish claideb is from the Brythonic, compare claymore), all meaning "sword", ultimately from a PIE base kelad- (extended from a root kel-) cognate to Latin clādēs "injury, damage, defeat".

[edit] Description

Gladius
Image:Gladius in hand.jpg Replica pseudo-Pompeii gladius (note: the triangular ricasso (unsharpened portion of the blade just below the hilt) is a historical inaccuracy as no historical gladii have been shown to possess this feature)
Type	Arming sword
Place of origin	Ancient Rome
Service history
In service	Mid. 0 A.D
Used by	legionary
Wars	Roman Republic and Roman Empire
Specifications
Weight	1.4 kg
Length	60 cm

Blade type	enter
Hilt type	wood, bone or ivory

The gladius was crafted from soft iron and the exterior was carburized using coal dust on the face of the anvil. This was necessary because the soft iron was not hard enough to have taken an edge before the carbon of the coke powder was added to the exterior of the blade.

While each of the different identified types of gladius have distinct features, mostly in blade shape and size, the common Pompeii style gladius was straight and double-edged, with a sharp V-shaped tip, and primarily constructed for thrusting action and use together with a large rectangular shield, the scutum. The cross-section of the gladius is typically a rhombus, providing the blade with good stability for stabbing and handling.

Stabbing was a very efficient technique as stabbing wounds, especially in the abdominal area, were almost always deadly. However, the gladius was also an efficient cutting weapon, and this property is amply demonstrated by Livy's account of the Macedonian Wars wherein the Macedonian soldiers were horrified to see the grievous wounds caused by the Roman blades. [1] A Roman legionary would mount the scabbard holding the gladius on the right side, same as his sword hand, allowing a formation of soldiers to easily draw their swords without accidentally injuring soldiers to either side. An exception to this were centurions who, according to various grave stones, wore their gladii mounted on the left as a mark of distinction. As they often stood outside the regular ranks of the unit, even in combat, this may not have been problematic in regards to drawing the weapon in the battle line.

The main types are:

gladius hispaniensis: Used from 200 B.C. until 20 B.C. Blade length 64 cm - 69 cm. Sword length 74 cm - 81 cm. Sword width 5 cm. Short blade, broad towards the handle.
Mainz: Characterized by its waisting (meaning it has concave edges) Blade width 7-8 cm. Blade length 66 cm - 70 cm. Sword mass: 1.2 kg - 1.6 kg.
Fulham or Mainz-Fulham: Used from the start of I century A.D. until the end of the same century. The conjunction point between Mainz and Pompei. Some consider it an evolution or the same as the Mainz type. Blade length 70 cm blade width: 6 cm at the base, 4 cm in the middle, 7 cm in the end.
Pompei (or Pompeianus or Pompeii): used from circa 50 A.D., with parallel cutting edges and a triangular tip. Original blade length of 60 cm, blade length from circa 75 A.D. of 68 cm - 71 cm. From circa 100 A.D. of 83 cm (semi-spatha). From now the Roman Gladius will be of middle-length.

The Mainz and the Pompeii are the two main classification types and served side by side for many years and it was not uncommon to find 4th century legionnaires carrying the earlier model.

Towards the end of the second century A.D. the spatha took the place of the gladius in the Roman legions.

[edit] Scabbard

Roman scabbards were made of wood covered with leather and were decorated with a frame made of brass or iron.

The Latin word for the scabbard is vagina and some weapons experts and enthusiasts refer to the scabbard of a gladius by this Latin word. It acquired its modern meaning by means of a simple metaphor. The Romans generally did not use this word in its anatomical sense, but it does show up as a joke in Plautus, Pseudolus 4.7.85: "Did the soldier's 'sword' fit well into your 'sheath'?"

[edit] Types

Several different designs were used; among collectors and historical reenactors, the three primary kinds are known as the Mainz gladius, the Fulham gladius, and the Pompeii gladius (these names refer to where or how the canonical example was found). More recent archaeological finds have uncovered an earlier version, the gladius hispaniensis ("Spanish sword"). Contrary to common belief, the gladius was not used by gladiators, who used a version with a shorter blade (30 cm – 35 cm/12 in. – 14 in. long).

[edit] Gladius Hispaniensis

Gladius Hispaniensis
300px The Hispaniensis was the Roman adoption of the Iberian sword (celtic) when they conquered Spain. It was mainly used for thrusting.
Type	Arming sword
Place of origin	Ancient Rome
Service history
In service	200 BC to 20 BC
Used by	legionary
Wars	Roman Republic and Roman Empire
Specifications
Weight	enter
Length	74-81 cm

Blade type	short blade
Hilt type	enter

Legionaries and gladiators of the Late Republic and Early Empire often carried two pila, with one sometimes being lighter than the other. Standard tactics called for a Roman soldier to throw his pilum (both if there was time) at the enemy just before charging to engage with his gladius. Some pila had small hand-guards, to protect the wielder if he intended to use it as a melee weapon, but it does not appear that this was common.

[edit] Gladius Mainz

Gladius Mainz
300px The Mainz was used both for cut and thrust.
Type	Arming sword
Place of origin	Ancient Rome
Service history
In service	1st century C.E
Used by	legionaries
Wars	Roman Republic and Roman Empire
Specifications
Weight	1.2 kg to 1.6 kg
Length	66-70 cm (blade)

Blade type	short blade
Hilt type	enter

[edit] Gladius Pompei

Gladius Pompei
300px The Pompei was longer and could be used for slashing, developing into the later Spatha.
Type	Arming sword
Place of origin	Ancient Rome
Service history
In service	1st century C.E
Used by	legionary
Wars	Roman Republic and Roman Empire
Specifications
Weight	enter
Length	enter

Blade type	medium blade
Hilt type	enter

[edit] Symbolism

The gladius is frequently depicted in coats of arms, especially of military corps.

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

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