The Gladius Sword of the Romans
The Legions of Rome carried the premier handweapon of the time
Evolving from the ancient bronze and iron edged weapons of the Hitties and Celts the Gladius became the blade that won the lands of the Roman Empire
Gladius is literally Latin for "sword". This was a short sword emerging from the Iron Age that was generally a short sword, used by Roman legionaries from the 3rd century BC and designed specifically for making short, powerful thrusts. It was based on the swords used and devolved by the Celtiberians-a Celtic people living in the Iberian Peninsula, in what is now Spain. The Gladius was crafted from soft iron and then the blade was coated with coal dust and hammered again on the anvil while still hot. This hardened the blade and allowed it to take a razor sharp edge.
The common Gladius was straight and double-edged, with a sharp V-shaped pointed tip and a rhomboid cross section. The weapon was about 60 cm (22 inches) long and generally weighed 3 pounds (1.4 kg) making it ideal for one handed stability and power projection. In battle the Gladius was used in a thrusting action together with a large rectangular shield, the scutum. This stabbing technique was most effective on the battlefield as deep stabbing wounds to the midsection of an opponent. Unlike other swords that were used in strike to inflict glancing lacerations the thrust of a Gladius was almost always fatal. A Roman legionary would always mount the scabbard for his Gladius on the right side, allowing a formation of soldiers to easily draw their swords in formation without accidentally injuring soldiers to either side. Centurions and Praetorian Guard units typically wore their swords on the left as a sign distinction from the regular legionnaires. These weapons were also often seen in the hands of the Gladiator entertainers throughout the empire.
The faithful warhorse of the Legion was itself surpasses towards the end of the second century A.D. by the spatha. Far flung legions in the more remote sections of the empire continued to use the now obsolete Gladius until well into the fifth century AD, giving it an active service use of some eight hundred years. Today the image of the Gladius is well known around the world and is often seen in military heraldry as part of unit crests and badges in armed forces far removed from the old Roman Empire.
