Gladius (Roman Short Sword)
Thrusting / Slashing weapon
Quick Facts
OriginRoman Empire (Ancient Rome) (Antiquity (3rd c. BC - 4th c. AD))
Wield TypeSingle-handed
MaterialForged steel with bone/wood hilt and round pommel
Length60 - 75 cm cm
Weight0.7 - 1.0 kg kg
History
Iconic weapon of Roman legionnaires and gladiators. The wide double-edged blade with a long point was engineered for highly effective close-quarters fighting behind the large Scutum shield.
About
Used for economical straight thrusts to the abdomen/throat (Punctim) from behind the shield wall, combined with short slashes to exposed limbs.