Roman Short Swords

HOPLLITE:

In the mid 1st century, Romans took the hopllite sword design from the Greeks and used it to arm the Legionaries with the best Roman sword available. Selected for its simplicity, length and superior strength, this Roman sword was added to the spear, shield and armor to complete the Roman armament of soldiers.

The full length of the blade was basically straight all the way to the tapered tip. The short handle and grip were designed to be formfitting to the soldier's hand for increased control. Once a Roman Legionnaire had thrown his spear into the battle, he would charge forward using his hopllite as a destructive slashing weapon against the enemy.

FALCATA:

A second Greek innovation was more than just a simple cut-and-thrust sword. Besides being well balanced, the Roman falcata could split an enemy's shield and helmet with one tremendous blow making it a devastating effective chopping weapon.

The single edged forward-curving blade of the falcata has a hook-shaped handle (resembling a horse head). This handle design wrapped around the hand which allowed the Roman infantrymen to quickly swing in multiple directions with less likelihood of the sword being knocked out of their grip.

MAINTZ GLADIUS:

To defend themselves against Roman swords, enemies of Rome developed stronger armor. Fear struck deep in the hearts of every Roman soldier as his deadly sword blows began to bounce off this new enemy armor.

To achieve armor piercing ability, a new Maintz Gladius (or Mantz) was developed. This Roman sword was given a shorter, wider blade (16" long, 3" wide) with a sharp 'long point' for penetrating armor. As well, this new wide-blade design was given a slight 'hour-glass' shape (narrow mid-blade) and both edges were sharpened.

Armed with a new 'double-edged sword', Legionnaires quickly stormed the battlefield with a newfound vengeance. Towards the end of the 1st century, the Maintz blade designs narrowed and were given a longer point (as found in the Fulham Gladius).

POMPEII GLADIUS:

The Roman army also encountered enemies who did not have heavy armoring. The best example would be the ferociously wild Germanic barbarians. Several key features from previous Spanish, Celtic and Roman sword designs were effectively combined to produce the Pompeii Gladius. This was the perfect slashing weapon needed to conquer the barbaric hordes.

The Pompeii Gladius had a diamond-tip point which proved most useful for 'hacking'. An additional change involved using the same 2" blade width design from earlier Spanish-Roman swords, but of a shorter length.

The sheaths had dropped their traditional protective U-shaped metal bindings at the opening of the sheath (also known as 'guttering') and incorporated ornately decorative metal plates. In all, this allowed the Pompeii Gladius to be produced as a low price sword (a very effective slashing weapon indeed).

The final change was an improved "weighted ball" pommel on the back-end of the handle. This produced an incredibly balanced Roman short sword that allowed for faster movements, more than ever before.

For a short period in the 2nd century, the only change made to the Roman short sword was in the pommel. The weighted ball design was replaced by a 'ring-pommel'. This allowed for a leather strap to be run thru the center of the ring allowing the sword itself to be worn without a scabbard (sheath). This only lasted till the end of the 2nd century when scabbards returned and the ring-pommel was discarded.

GLADIATOR SWORDS:

Gladiators were initially created by the Etruscans as a humane alternative to executing war-captives. The condemned were allowed to live as combatants fighting to the death. Combat could be one-on-one, in groups or against wild beasts utilizing a wide range of specialized weapons... including Gladiator Swords.

Only the victorious were allowed to live another day. Spectators joyfully watched as two highly trained combatants viciously battled to avoid being the first to die. Traditional Gladiator swords were leaf-shaped bronze or copper swords based upon Greek design. Holding it tight, the Gladiator would struggle to protect himself as death charged closer.

As the battle ensued, the last thoughts of a Gladiator might question if the masked Gladiator Helmet and Lorica Segmentata were enough protection against the opposing Trident and Gladiator Dolch. The answer was found written upon the victor's blade.

Under Roman influence, the Gladiatorial Games became thriving public entertainment as criminals or enemies of Rome were executed. In rare instances of unanimous public request, popular veterans would be granted "full freedom" and awarded a "Rudius" (special wooden sword) as proof of their honorable discharge.

Many different weapons were used in these games, including various Roman swords and daggers. Relics suggest Roman swordsmiths tested the effectiveness of new Roman sword designs and experimental steels by introducing them into the Gladiator fights. This was an excellent way to test a new sword's strength, armor piercing capabilities and functionality.

Although gladiatorial shows were abolished by the end of Constantine rule in 333 A.D., they did not stop till the monk Telemachus was martyred in 404 A.D. when he rushed into the arena to separate the fighters and was stoned by the spectator mob.

WOODEN PRACTICE SWORDS:

Training was key to the skill and effectiveness of the Roman soldier. Daily work with wooden practice swords was required to maintain swordsmanship and battle skills. The sword drills and exercises developed by the Romans were accurately recorded by Flavius Vegetius Renatus (Chief Training Methods Recorder for the Roman Empire).

Staves (wooden swords) were used for training and weighed double that of a real Roman sword. This helped strengthened the arm and torso of soldiers and helped them increase fighting endurance.
Twice a day sword practice was required against large posts about the size of a human.
Sword combat techniques focused on delivering forceful sword blows to vital points of the body.
Attack moves were repeated practiced to ensure the solder was properly delivering sword blows without becoming vulnerable to counter attack (and probable death).
To ensure every sword thrust was effective, Roman instructors emphasized how to deliver puncture wound that were lethal.

If you have any questions about our products or would like to have us carry something you did not see here today, contact us and we will see what we can locate for you.

Privacy Terms And Conditions Shipping Sitemap

For More Specific Information, See:

Roman Hopllite Short Swords	Roman Falcata Short Swords
Roman Maintz Gladius Short Swords	Pompeii Gladius Short Swords
Gladiator Short Swords	Practice Swords