Gladius
A gladius is a Roman short sword mainly used by gladiators and normal soldiers in Ancient Rome. It is Latin for "sword".
| Gladius | |
|---|---|
 Replica pseudo-Pompeii gladius | |
| Type | Sword |
| Place of origin | Ancient Rome, Italy as gladius |
| Service history | |
| In service | 3rd century BC – 3rd century AD |
| Used by | Roman foot soldiers during wars |
| Wars | Roman Republic and Roman Empire |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 0.7–1 kg (1.5–2.2 lb) |
| Length | 60–85 cm (24–33 in) |
| Blade length | 45–68 cm (18–27 in) |
| Width | 5–7 cm (2.0–2.8 in) |
| Blade type | steel of varying degrees of carbon content, pointed, double-edged |
| Hilt type | Wood, bronze or ivory |
The Roman gladius came from the Celtiberians of Hispania, more specifically a sword used in the Second Punic War. When Rome won the Second Punic War, they adopted the gladius into the Roman army, which they adapted slightly to their needs for a soldier's sword.
After the military reforms of Gaius Marius during his consulships, the roman soldier was armed with a sword (gladius), a shield (scutum), two spears (pila), most of the time a dagger (pugio), and later in roman history, some throwing darts (plumbatae).
Roman soldiers in battle would throw pila to disrupt the enemy and make their shields usless, then go into close hand to hand fighting, in which the gladius was used.
You can read more about gladiators here.
