Jump to content
UNRV Ancient Roman Empire Forums

This Gladius Is A Bit Short Sir...


Recommended Posts

There's an illustration of it in the book 'The Roman Army from Hadrian to Constantine' by Michael Simkins, it's a reconstruction as the one in the museum is in extremly poor quality (it had been broken in half) -

 

Here is a picture of the sword, have archaeologists found other similar type of swords since the book's publication in 1979?

 

 

Bangor Museum 'Pompeii' Gladius

 

Note the very short handle...Simkins says it is very difficult to handle and even more difficult to weild in battle.

 

 

I've found another site on the Pompeii Gladius, it has quite a bit of information on the sword as well as the opportunity to buy an imitation for a measly $600!!!

 

http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/albion...man-pompeii.htm

Link to comment
Share on other sites

GPM -im sorry but you have an inoperative link again! Please fix it and ill tidy the thread.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There is definitely a question of where the swords were obtained, and who owned them. After Marius threw open the doors to army service for any Tom, Dick, or Harrius it forced the legions to supply weapons. Previously you turned up with anything you could afford to some extent, but now a poor man had to be armed. I understand that the cost of a sword could be subtracted from your pay, but did the legionary own it when the sword was paid for? Individual soldiers were still at at liberty to buy their own weapons provided they conformed to standard pattern.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...
I have added a second scavanged image :

http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?act=mo...si&img=1242

which does say "triarius, hastatus and principe " to my non-specialised eyes.These look like conventional armour/sword configurations.Would anyone now care to comment on the gladius in this illustration? Is this the "hispanic" sword that Caldrail is commenting upon?

 

I have checked and the sword used is a Gladius hispanienses. The sword handle of the Triarius is very celtic looking, although the scabbard looks like those carried by Iberians. A Celt-Iberian weapon perhaps?

 

I understand that the cost of a sword could be subtracted from your pay, but did the legionary own it when the sword was paid for? Individual soldiers were still at at liberty to buy their own weapons provided they conformed to standard pattern.

 

Seeing as the state manufactured the weapons in the Fabricae during the later period, I would think that perhaps earlier on (especially before the establishment of the Imperial Legion (1st Century BC-AD) the men were allowed to keep the weapons.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Veterans most certainly kept their weapons. After they retired, they usually stored their equipment away in case they had to be recalled for an emergency situation. A great example of this is during the Boudicca rebellion.

 

 

[sarcasm]I think they hung their gladii over the fireplace as we do guns. :P [/sarcasm]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...