Blade of the Empire: Exploring the Pugio Dagger's Role in Roman Military Might

Everyone has heard about the Gladius, but what do you know about its younger cousin the Pugio? The Pugio is a large dagger that was carried as a sidearm of the Roman legions from the days of the Republic to before the fall of the Empire. The Pugio was prominent among the western territories of the Roman Empire, and gained its greatest claim to fame with the assasination of Julius Caesar in 44 BC. The Pugio would go on to become one of the most recognizable, as well as ornate daggers from the ancient world.
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[@KatoCoyoteCombatWorkshop]

You're like the Forgotten Weapons of blades. I love the work you're doing!

[@TheKnifeLifeChannel]

Thank-you! I appreciate the kind words and support!

[@mattdavid450]

I second that!

[@TheKnifeLifeChannel]

@@mattdavid450 Thank-you!

[@MrDDiRusso]

ANY SALAD CAN BE A CAESAR SALAD IF YOU STAB IT ENOUGH TIMES!

[@TheKnifeLifeChannel]

NOOOOO! It has to be with a Pugio. That's the only way it makes sense.

[@KatoCoyoteCombatWorkshop]

"Pizza Pizza..?" "Pizza Pizza." *STAB*

[@TheKnifeLifeChannel]

It took me way longer than it should have to get that...

[@kailashblades]

Great to learn some more about these daggers! Had no idea they had such a rich history

[@TheKnifeLifeChannel]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Glad to see you around the channel again!

[@heavychevy4616]

...just my 2 cents worth, but ur "history" videos like this one are some of my favorites! thank u sir

[@eric805]

Another nice blade for your collection. I'm jealous

[@superdave4564]

According to those who knew, it leaves deceptively innocent looking but lethal wounds. It is a interesting design that isn’t see often today.

[@TheKnifeLifeChannel]

Like you said waisted blades are pretty uncommon these days.

[@powerplay4real174]

Good information 👍

[@TheKnifeLifeChannel]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for your support!

[@stipicaradic]

First time I've heard the Gladius Hispaniensis didn't originate from the Iberian peninsula. Damn!

[@unknownartist47]

Maybe you have done the smatchet but if not. ✌️

[@TheKnifeLifeChannel]

I have not yet. It is on the list!

[@kurtasiak]

super very interesting story

[@TheKnifeLifeChannel]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video and thank-you for your support!

[@guitargallery2375]

Great video. Very well done. 💪

[@TheKnifeLifeChannel]

Thank-you, I appreciate your support!

[@gnarlywagner8171]

Im really digging the knife history content

[@TheKnifeLifeChannel]

I'm glad you are enjoying the channel. Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!

[@raphlvlogs271]

were later period broad bladed Swiss and Baselard daggers designed based on the Pugio? considering that they are functionally very similar

[@TheKnifeLifeChannel]

Excellent question: It is possible, but at this time I wouldn't be able to say for certain.

[@raymondchico676]

Should do a video on the Smatchet

[@TheKnifeLifeChannel]

It is on the list! Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!

[@desbravatube]

tamo junto sempre, é isso aí Att: Weliton Marks - Canal Desbravatube

[@michaeldoyle5001]

I’ve ordered the Augustus from Albion Swords. Any suggestions on where to find a Pugio that would match up with it? Enjoyed the Video!

[@TheKnifeLifeChannel]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video and hope to see you around the channel again! Look up Pier Siercovich on Facebook. He made the blade I used in this video. I left a link to his page in the description. Send him a message and what you are looking for and let him know I sent you his way.

[@scribblerjohn1]

Mark Morrow made the gladius-handled pugio I have to pair with my Albion Allectus. Mark makes a very fine pugio and his prices are quite reasonable.

[@The-Armed-Pacifist]

On a totally unrelated topic, look up “What did the Romans ever do for us” by Monty Python. Hilarious.

[@TheKnifeLifeChannel]

I'll be sure to check it out!

[@The-Armed-Pacifist]

@@TheKnifeLifeChannel You will have a good laugh, for sure.

[@coltenlester9426]

What is the second harpoon warncliff knife in the intro?

[@TheKnifeLifeChannel]

The long curved one? That's a ginunting.

[@coltenlester9426]

@@TheKnifeLifeChannel Made by who?

[@stephen8433]

It is as you say.

[@TheKnifeLifeChannel]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@garethalford682]

The Pugio is a Sharp Thrusting Dagger that would make Large Wounds that would cause massive Bleeding when it was Pulled out and it would punch thru Leather Armour

[@TheKnifeLifeChannel]

Thanks for commenting! I hope to see you around the channel again!

[@rickyhurtt5568]

I remember it well. Brutus walked in with that pugio in his hand and slamming it into Caesars back. I'll never forget the sight long as I live

[@rickyhurtt5568]

You're right it was the gldius style grip at that time. I also remember that well

[@rickyhurtt5568]

Yeah I didn't like the 3rd period pugio. Just too wide and long. Hard to carry in my toga

[@TheKnifeLifeChannel]

You sir have a long memory.

[@jpavlvs]

Not all Caesar's assassins were military. Brutus was and likely had one.

[@TheKnifeLifeChannel]

Thanks for commenting!

[@PaMuShin]

Since you are already in Spain, let us see what you can make of the Spanish navaja, like in Arturo Sánchez de Vivar - La Navaja Clásica

[@TheKnifeLifeChannel]

Noted, the Navaja is on the list!

[@edwardbirdsall6580]

1862 light cavalry sabre. U.S. Cavalry.

[@TheKnifeLifeChannel]

Noted. Thanks for commenting!

[@A14b19]

In Italian ‘pugnio’ means punch ,hit . I wonder

[@TheKnifeLifeChannel]

The book I referenced actually looks into the entymology of "Pugio." I'll dig into that some more and get back to you.

[@ianwinter514]

i am more used to a pronounciation with a hard ''g'' instead of a ''ch'' sound

[@TheKnifeLifeChannel]

Interesting! I haven't heard it pronounced that way before, but I'm always learning new things!

[@torgomax]

🗡🗡👍👍

[@nobilismaximus]

The gladius comes from spain as well……..

[@desbravatube]

Valeeeu

[@The-Armed-Pacifist]

Which type killed Caesar?

[@TheKnifeLifeChannel]

Most likely a first period, potentially a second. Maybe a combination of both. The senate debate got a little out of hand that day.

[@The-Armed-Pacifist]

@@TheKnifeLifeChannel To say the least. With friends like that, who needs enemies.

[@gizmocarr3093]

I would question the idea of all the knives use to murder Caesar were of the same shape and design. I also would wonder why it would be true because of the nature of how his death occurred. Were all the conspirators provide a knife or used their own personal knife? There may have been some Pugio knives used but unlikely all of them. I would like to suggest exploring the history of the Spanish Navaja in a future video. It seems connected to similar French knives used for various purposes. Being in possession of one once had the penalty of death connected to it.🤔

[@TheKnifeLifeChannel]

Agreed. I expect there was a mixture of various blades as mentioned. However I expect that the blade Brutus used was a Pugio. He was the one who commissioned the coins and I suspect that if he put his face on one side to brag about killing Caesar, one of the knives on the other side was his. I would argue that the pugio became very symbolic of the assassination of Caesar. The Navaja is already on my to-do list. Mainly I need to track down source material for that. Thanks for commenting!

[@illmade2]

To be in the Senate, a Roman had to be a citizen, to be a citizen as a man you had to serve in the army. The pugio was a knife ever soldier, and officer would have carried, owned, and been familiar with. It's the most likely knife the Roman senator would have and carry at the time. Most people at the time would have carried a knife for work or defense. Why wouldn't it be a pugio?

[@magister343]

Nice info, but your pronunciation of "Pugio" really annoys me. The "g" in Latin is always hard. It should never sound like a "j."