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Roman Short Sword (gladius)

Type Object Region Italy Time c. 1–300

The gladius was the iconic close-combat weapon of Roman legionary infantry, with a blade about 40–55 cm long, suited to rapid thrusting in dense form…

Timeline

  1. c. -200–-50Iberian Peninsula · Iberian PeninsulaIn wars against Iberian tribes and Carthaginian forces, Rome absorbed local short-sword forms, producing the early gladius Hispaniensis, with a broader blade suited to both cutting and thrusting.
  2. c. 1–200Roman legionary camps · Roman EmpireIn the early Empire, the main-type gladius (Mainz/Pompeii types) became legion standard issue; its blade was better suited to thrusting, closely matching the tactic of close assault after a volley of javelins.
  3. c. 200–300Roman Empire · Roman EmpireAround the third century, legionary infantry gradually switched to the longer spatha; the short sword ceased to be mainstream in the regular army but persisted among auxiliary troops and civilians.

Sources