The Pedite Gladius

Abstract

CONSIDERABLE research has been carried out to date into the command structure, general organization and regional deployment of the Imperial Roman Army. Many admirable works of reference have resulted from these labours yet the degree of attention focused on the 'tools of the trade', i.e. the hand weapons of the legions and auxiliary cohorts, leaves much to be desired. Although almost all Roman weapon finds are painstakingly recorded and published, little has yet been done to define more precisely the roles for which the varying types were developed. This is particularly relevant to the Roman legionary gladius, that uncompromising constructor and guardian of the empire.The appellation 'gladius' has been used to describe a number of examples, some of undoubted Roman manufacture and some of more dubious origin, so far giving blanket coverage to blades ranging in dimension from 23 J x 2 § in. to i 6 | x i\ in. 1 A profitable line of research therefore must surely be the achievement of a narrower definition of the pattern and dimensions of the typical gladius, i.e. the standard, or near-standard, marching sword of the legions. Towards this end, a working datum in the form of the 'Sword of Tiberius' (21 x z\ in.), unquestionably of Roman manufacture and one of the most frequently quoted of the examples classified as gladii, was selected and a dimensionally accurate replica manufactured complete with scabbard.It is important at this juncture to emphasise the fact that the scabbard attachment rings were located in the same positions as the fitments on the original scabbard 2 (see fig. 1), on the scabbards of the two Mainz swords (see pi. xin) 3 and indeed on almost all other existing examples. Since the marching gladius was carried on the right-hand side, it is essential that it should be positioned in such a way as to allow easy, singlehanded withdrawal with the right hand.Stage two of the experiment involved manufacturing a fairly accurate reproduction of the original scabbard suspension harness. Many sculptured examples of the legionary baldric and cingulum arrangement were examined including those on the Trajan's Column reliefs. Although this review produced a less than satisfactorily clear picture of the actual attachment details, a webbing belt and baldric harness utilizing all four scabbard rings were made up.Some arguments have been advanced in the past favouring the supposition that all four attachment rings were not used or, at least, not all utilised at the same time. 4 However, in view of the wide timespan over which the four ring arrangement continued to feature on scabbards and taking full account of the results obtained from subsequent practical exercises with sword and harness, it was concluded that all four attachment points were indeed used at the same time, at least by the legionary foot soldier.Although existing sculptured evidence can by no means be disregarded in respect of the equipment depicted, it must be borne in mind that not only were most gravestone figures produced in large quantities and ma...

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“…91 We should not exaggerate the resistance that they showed or were expected to show. 92 Indeed, in Mk 14.47 and Jn 18.10, unlike Mt 26.51 and Lk 22.50, only the earlobe (τὸ ὠτάριον) not the ear (τὸ 87 For the gladius, see Miks (2007); Bishop (2016); D'Amato (2014); Hazell (1981). Many gladiators of this period used a gladius -hence their name -but these tended to be even shorter (Nossov 2009: 100), something evident from the myriad of mass-produced, popular-cultural representations of them on everything from oil lamps to drinking cups (Brown 2021: 446).…”

“…87. For the gladius, see Miks (2007), Bishop (2016), D'Amato (2014), andHazell (1981). Many gladiators of this period used a gladius-hence their name-but these tended to be even The weapons do not appear to be swords and the rioters were not soldiers.…”

“… 87 For the gladius , see Miks (2007), Bishop (2016), D’Amato (2014), and Hazell (1981). Many gladiators of this period used a gladius —hence their name—but these tended to be even shorter (Nossov 2009: 100), something evident from the myriad of mass-produced, popular-cultural representations of them on everything from oil lamps to drinking cups (Brown 2021: 446).…”

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