Roman Swords and Daggers

A HISTORY OF ROMAN SWORDS AND DAGGERS

People are amazed to see a real Roman sword in person and often desperately wish to hold it. Even if they don't ask, simply look at the childish wide-eyed expression of anticipation on their face to know they will buy dinner tonight if you let them hold it for 5 minutes.

Looking back at history, one of the most recognized swords of any culture is the Roman sword (or Gladius). The highly trained and disciplined Roman legionnaires, cavalrymen and infantrymen all capitalized on variations of this highly effective weapon. The sword skills of these warriors combined with the advanced materials used in making these swords resulted in one of the most successful military reigns of all time.

The Romans were masters at adopting and modifying sword designs to overcome disadvantages in combat. Improvements to Roman swords were often based upon technology from other cultures like the Greek, Celts and Spanish. This allowed Romans to have a different sword for each warfare strategy.

Combat in the mountainous regions required a shorter sword with superior slashing capabilities (Pompeii Gladius). However, the Roman cavalry and charioteers needed a longer and more slender Roman sword to gain the 'extra reach' required to effectively fight from a mounted position (Spatha).

Overall, the Roman short sword is known as "the sword that conquered the world". One of the most well known Roman combat tactics developed was when a Roman soldier simply stepped forward inside the enemy's "guard' so the longer sword would be useless. At this point, the Roman soldier could quickly cut-and-thrust in any direction swung. This tactic was perfect against enemies with longer swords or spears.

Even the Bible distinguishes the Roman double-edged sword for its awesome powerfulness as a weapon by allegorically referencing to it when describing the power of The Word of God! (Hebrews 4:12) As well, the Roman sword is a critical part of the biblical description of the Full Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18)

Gerald Weland once summarize the magnificence of a true antique Roman sword as an artifact (relic) saying,

"As a sword, the Gladius is perhaps the single most important type of sword in human history, embodying artistic, historic and geographic factors in a way that no other weapon has ever done. It is also just about the most impossible sword to collect." - Gerald Weland

Take a piece of history home today from our exquisite collection of more than 95 Roman swords and daggers (one of the largest offerings in the industry).

ROMAN SHORT SWORDS:

One of the most easily recognized swords of any era are Roman short swords. Noted for its short, double-edged 20" blade with a diamond-point tip, this magnificent sword is known as "the sword that conquered the world".

Just like people need new cars to replace old ones, the Legionaries were often given Roman short swords with new designs and characteristics. Combining these new sword designs with advanced materials and changes in fighting techniques resulted in one of the most successful military reigns of all time.

There are 5 basic types of Roman short swords, each with its own advantage. Swords with longer points could cut into heavy metal armor. But against unarmored barbaric hordes a 'hacking' sword with a short point was more effective.

Great stories are told of Roman soldiers' fierce bravery in battle (never retreating). But historians have shown there was a strategic fighting advantage behind this resolve. In the midst of combat, your sword and shield were vital. The first person to turn and retreat had his backside unprotected... and the Roman short sword was the perfect weapon to deliver a fatal quick forward thrust.

LONGER ROMAN SWORDS

GLADIUS HISPANIENSIS:

After conquering Spain in the 1st century, the Romans realized the Spanish Gladius Hispaniensis (sword of Spain) would be the perfect solution to problems they were having with chariot warfare. Arming charioteers with current Roman short swords proved to be inadequate.

The answer was found in Spain's 2" wide straight-blade, which tapered to a long point for an impressive 34" overall length. Equally significant is the fact that previous longer iron swords were often very weak, but the Spanish sword materials (steel) significantly outperformed Roman swords made of iron.

Soldiers could now plow through the battle lines at high speeds swinging this new 'greater reaching' Roman sword and successfully hit any target. Over the years the name for the Gladius Hispaniensis was shortened to simply "Gladius" (sword). To date, only one of these swords has been found (off the isle of Delos).

SPATHA:

As the Roman warfare evolved, they soon incorporated the use of cavalry and their own navy. With blades up to 40" long, the Spatha quickly became embraced by the new Roman cavalry for its greater reach during mounted combat. Initially a very straight single-edged weapon, legions from the 4th century onward used a double-edged spatha more than any other Roman sword.

Shorter versions of the spatha were also developed to combat against longer swords. A skilled swordsman could easily stab his enemy by stepping forward, inside their guard, and delivering a well placed thrust. These smaller versions were more maneuverable and took less energy to use. After the Roman Empire fell, the spatha evolved into the longer sword styles used by knights.

ROMAN REENACTMENT SWORDS:

Roman Reenactment swords and daggers need to be as historically accurate as possible to meet the requirements of the most discerning reenactors. A special selection of SCA/ LARP "approved" production swords and daggers is provided here for members of Roman reenactment groups who wish to find a base 'starter sword' which can be modified to increase the historic accuracy. Please contact us for assistance or to provide us with updated information.

ROMAN DAGGERS:

Not all Roman daggers were used in warfare. Several different blade designs were developed to accommodate the needs of both Roman citizens and soldiers alike. There are five primary types of Roman daggers, each with its own unique characteristics:

The Cinquedea dagger has a very wide triangular blade, '5-fingers' wide at the guard. Mainly used by civilians and carried over the buttocks. Originals are very rare and often confused with the Hindu 'katar' from India. In the 1840s, fake cinquedeas from Milan flooded markets.
The Pugio dagger has a unique hour-glass shaped blade which enabled it to also function as small chopping tool for cooking. This Roman dagger was the standard military issue for all Roman soldiers.
The Parazonium dagger is a long slender version of the Cinquedea. Initially of Greek origin, this Roman dagger has a narrower triangular shaped blade only two or three fingers wide at the guard.
The Diamond Pugio dagger has an exquisite diamond-shaped blade. They seem to have been initially developed using broken Egyptian spear heads.
The Two-Edged Roman Stelletto dagger is very long and slender dagger, beautifully crafted. This particular design was very popular deep into the Middle Ages and often confused with short swords.

Espionage and counterintelligence thrived during the Roman Era. Spies carrying secret notes needed Roman daggers for protection from enemies wishing to intercept information and eliminate the messenger. Because daggers were easily concealed under a tunic or cloak, they were the perfect weapon for this line of work - which eventually was coined "Cloak and Dagger".

It's interesting to note that the intelligence network of Julius Caesar delivered a written list of conspirators into Julius Caesar's hand only moments before he was delivered a second 'fatal message' from his enemies.

The delivering 'fatal messages' to Roman Senators and influential people was the perilous task of professional assassins. These experts also preferred to conceal Roman Daggers under a tunic or cloak. (Privacy and discretion were especially important if there was to be "no reply"!)

DAMASCUS BLADES:

Damascus Roman Swords could have completely changed the balance of power in the known world by empowering the Roman Empire with swords that 'cut other swords in half'! This unique combination of the strongest steel known (wootz steel) and sword designs from the Roman era would have rewritten history for hundreds of years.

Although there is no historic foundation for a Damascus Roman sword, replicas are available for the collector or enthusiast who can imagine the complete victory achieved in battle using a super strong sword which cuts through enemy swords and armor with ease.

BARGINS AND ACCESSORIES:

During the Roman Empire, swordsmiths would secretly offer very loyal friends occasional low price swords on copies and special clearance items - but did so fearing the wrath of the Emperor! It was much safer to provide wooden practice swords to Roman citizens wishing to develop sword skills. Any sword accessories that might be needed were easily obtained at the market in front of the Coliseum.

ROMAN SWORDSMITHING AND MATERIALS

There is some controversy regarding Roman production of steel for swordsmithing. Although there is no historic evidence supporting the intentional production of "Roman steel", many Roman short swords do have bands of steel. It seems the Roman blacksmiths inadvertently produced steel without realizing it. This is not as unlikely as one might think. Since there is only a small difference between iron and steel, the amount of carbon within the metal determines the product produced.

The iron manufactured by Romans is viewed as wrought iron, with a carbon content close to .05%. To change wrought iron into steel (or 'hi-carbon steel'), the carbon content had to be increased to 1.5%. Neither the science of metallurgy nor Roman technology were developed enough to support Romans planning to develop steel. Actually, it's more likely due to the Roman sword makers' use of charcoal to heat the metal and forge blades that increased the carbon levels in the outer bands of the iron changing it into an outer steel layer.

Lessons learned from 'trial and error' combined with a skilled eye were the secrets of the Roman swordsmith. By heating and reheating blades, these master craftsmen soon realized the reheated blades were stronger than blades not subjected to this process.

As the forging and folding of the blades continued, the resulting sword blade was comprised of an iron blade with thin layers (or strips) of hi-carbon steel. This new and improved version of the Roman short sword now had a blade with the strength of steel and the resilience of iron - making it a formidable weapon.

Some historians have noted another interesting alteration by the Romans regarding sword smithing. A fundamental process in working with modern metals is called "quenching". This is the process of heating the metal blade to a white heat, then immersing it in water to cool the blade. This results in the strengthening of the metal by making it very hard, but also brittle.

The solution to the problem of brittleness is to "temper" the blade by reheating it one last time to a very specific temperature. This establishes the blades final hardness and ability to retain its edge. Roman swordsmiths were highly skilled and were able to 'eye' the color of the blade during the tempering process to determine the correct temperature and then allowed them to naturally cool down in the open air instead of quenching them. These 'air cooled' swords are thought to have been preferred more by Romans.

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.

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For More Specific Information, See:

Roman Short Swords	Gladius Swords
Roman Spatha Swords	Functional Swords
Roman Daggers	Gladiator Swords