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Throughout history, the Roman gladius continued to reduce in size. The earliest type had a blade length between 64 and 69 centimeters, but later examples were about 42 to 55 centimeters long. The Pompeii gladius was the smallest and the lightest of the three blades. However, the blades of later Roman swords, such as the spatha, were significantly longer. Sword Mounting Mainz Gladius Sword Mounting ( Source) In this article, we will explore the curved Sica Sword. We shall start off by going over its very unusual and unique characteristics. Then we shall explain the many uses this sword has and whether it is really as deadly as it looks. Finally, we will discuss its very interesting history and some famous people who used it. Characteristics of the Sica Sword The Sica Sword with details – Credits: WikiMedia Sica Sword is a very unorthodox-looking double or single-edged curved sword used in the Roman Empire, initially by the Illyrians, Dacians, and Thracians. It was a popular weapon between gladiators of ancient Rome and criminals alike. Today, the Sica sword is primarily used for LARPing (live-action roleplaying) and reenactments. If you manage to find an event that has Roman soldiers or gladiators, you will almost definitely see the Sica sword. Sica replicas are also commonly used as decorations in someone’s home to represent freedom – something that the gladiators yearned for.
However, experts argue that calling the gladius ‘Spanish’ is inaccurate, as the Celtiberian warriors who used the prototype swords were linked to broader Celtic technological traditions of central and western Europe. More than that, the double-edged short swords with a long point had a long history even before the Romans arrived in Spain. Evolution of the Gladius Sword ( Source)Noxii were criminals who fought animals or each other: They were not really armed and so not really gladiators.
CelticWebMerchant.co.uk, online shop in historical replica's for re-enactment, collectors & museums The Pompeii gladius was named by modern historians after the Roman town of Pompeii. This type of gladius was by far the most popular one. Four examples of the sword type were found in Pompeii, with others turning up elsewhere. The sword has parallel cutting edges and a triangular tip. This is the shortest of the gladii. It is often confused with the spatha, which was a longer, slashing weapon used initially by mounted auxilians. Over the years, the Pompeii got longer, and these later versions are called semi- spathes. The length of the blade was 45–50cm (18–20in). The length of the sword is 60–65cm (24–26in). The width of the blade is 5cm (2.0in). The sword weighs 700g (1.5lb) (wooden hilt). The blade of the Sica sword is easily its most distinguishing characteristic. It’s a single or double-edge blade that curves gradually or sharply, depending on the design, in the last third of the blade. The blade of the Sica is full tang, meaning that it goes inside the handle as well. A gladiator holding a Sica sword and a wooden shield in the other hand – Credits: Museum Replicas Limited The crowds weren’t just offered sword-fighting. The day would start with men, called venatores, fighting wild animals such as bears and lions. Then there would be public executions of criminals at noon, with the gladiator battles taking place in the afternoon.The Roman centurion was a commander of a centuria—a unit that consisted of 100 men. A Roman legion had 60 centurions, who distinguished themselves from lower-ranked soldiers by wearing their gladius on their left. A commander typically drew his centurion gladius across himself to achieve the same end. During the time of Julius Caesar, centurions already wore their gladius on the left side of their body, as shown on their gravestones the next century. Luis, Salva (2013). Viriathus and the Lusitanian Resistance to Rome 155-139 BC. Great Britain: Pen & Sword. ISBN 978-1-78159-128-4. The Roman sword had a spherical pommel, ivory or wooden hilt, and a small wooden guard. Ergonomically designed, the handgrip measured between 7 to 10 centimeters, close to the average width of a male hand. Most sword scabbards were organic, made from wood, and covered in leather. Some ceremonial gladius had a wooden scabbard decorated in silver and gold. Facts About the Roman Sword The biggest thing this word was used for was, of course, fighting. It is a very light sword that is easy to operate, even for novices. When combined with a shield, it can easily become a very deadly tool. Sometimes it was dual-wielded with a larger sword or even a long spear. As the popularity of gladiator battles grew, new varieties of warrior emerged. No longer did they dress according to where they came from. Now gladiators were identified by the sorts of armour and weapon they carried.
The blades typically featured a central ridge, but the advanced techniques later used on the spatha, like pattern welding, were not used for the gladius. With its sharp point, the sword was efficient for stabbing and thrusting, though the Roman soldiers also utilized it for slashing. Size and Length The standard weight of the Sica sword was anywhere from 0.9 to 1.6 lbs (400 to 750 grams). This means that this shortsword was a very light weapon to use compared to other weapons at the time. The low weight combined with the deadly curved blade makes it a fast weapon that can easily cut or pierce flesh. Uses of the Sica Sword A Sica being used to behead a ballistic gelatin dummy- Credits: Forged in Fire Museo del Arma Blanca". Archived from the original on October 25, 2006 . Retrieved December 15, 2006.
Niko Silvester, From Rapier to Langsax: Sword Structure in the British Isles in the Bronze and Iron Ages The pilun was essentially a javelin, and it was sometimes referred to as such, but the pilum was traditionally a heavier throwing spear than normal javelins. This was used for throwing but not massively common in the amphitheatre. It would be about 2ft long around 60cm and fitted with an iron shank on the end. Tridents and Nets Fascina (trident) Significant Contributions in the Study of European Arms and Armor, bibliography by the Arms and Armor Society of America. The brand behind this impressive sword is Windlass Steel Crafts, a trusted and recognized name in the industry. Their commitment to quality and authenticity is reflected in every detail of the Gladiator Spiculus.
Gladius is a Latin masculine noun. The nominative plural of it is gladiī. However, gladius in Latin refers to any sword, not only the sword described here. The word appears in literature as early as the plays of Plautus ( Casina, Rudens). The Roman Legionary and His Equipment in The First Century AD: An Assessment of the findings of The Ermine Street Guard". Archived from the original on 2015-09-24 . Retrieved 2007-08-24.
The Sica sword is a weapon that was widely used in ancient times. It began to be used in what is now the modern-day Balkans as a daily tool for the Thracians and Illyrians. It was also commonly used by soldiers in the Thracian armies. It is believed that these swords originated sometime in the 5th century BC in the Halstatt culture. M. C. Bishop (2016). The Gladius: The Roman Short Sword (in Spanish). Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-14-728158-6-6. The Fulham gladius or Mainz-Fulham gladius was a Roman sword that was used after Aulus Plautius' invasion of Britain in 43 AD. [24] The Romans used it until the end of the 1st century. The Fulham gladius has a triangular tip. The length of the blade is 50–55cm (20–22in). The length of the sword is 65–70cm (26–28in). The width of the blade is 6cm (2.4in). The swords weighs 700g (1.5lb) (wooden hilt). [25] [26] A full size replica can be seen at Fulham Palace, Fulham. Our Roman Gladiator Sword is crafted in the world famous Art Gladius factory in Toledo, Spain. The gilded hilt is heavily adorned with Roman style reliefs and features the letters SPQR (Senātus Populus que Rōmānus) on the guard. The large pommel is topped with an Imperial Eagle (Aquila). The Pompeii style stainless steel blade is richly adorned with engravings. This sword is designed for display only.
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