Gladius VS Katana - Roman and Japanese Warfare Compared

Roman gladius and Japanese katana
The katana is characterized by its distinctive appearance: a curved, single-edged blade with a circular or squared guard and long grip to accommodate two hands.
The first use of "katana" (gatana) as a word to describe a long sword that was different from a tachi occurs as early as the Kamakura Period (1185-1333).
The rise in popularity of katana amongst samurai came about due to the changing nature of close-combat warfare. The quicker draw of the sword was well suited to combat where victory depended heavily on short response times.
The katana was often paired with a similar smaller companion sword, such as a wakizashi, or it could also be worn with the tantō, a smaller, similarly shaped dagger. The pairing of a katana with a smaller sword is called the daishō.
The katana is generally defined as the standard sized, moderately curved (as opposed to the older "tachi" style featuring more curvature) Japanese sword with a blade length greater than 60 cm ( 23 1⁄2 inches).It is characterized by its distinctive appearance: a curved, slender, single-edged blade with a circular or squared guard (tsuba) and long grip to accommodate two hands.
Gladius was one Latin word for sword, and is used to represent the primary sword of Ancient Roman foot soldiers. Early ancient Roman swords were similar to those of the Greeks. From the 3rd century BC, the Romans adopted swords similar to those used by the Celtiberians and others during the early part of the conquest of Hispania. This sword was known as the gladius hispaniensis, or Hispanic Sword.
Gladius is a Latin masculine second declension noun. Its (nominative and vocative) plural is gladiī. However, gladius in Latin refers to any sword, not specifically the modern definition of a gladius. The word appears in literature as early as the plays of Plautus .
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[@cullenkerr6556]

Fun fact about left handed soldiers. The Scottish Clan Kerr supposedly trained their soldiers to be left handed to give them an advantage in melee. Even their castles were designed with lefties in mind as the spiral staircases in them are build to accommodate left handed defenders. Their reputation for left handedness is also reflected in poetry. The poems "The Raid of the Kerrs" and "The Reprisal" both mention how the Kerrs used their left handedness to surprise and outfight their foes. It is important to note though that these poems were written centuries after the events that they describe. Thanks for giving the time to listen to me fanboy about my distant ancestors.

[@trollpikken6907]

Wow so interesting!

[@MorshedMustafa]

Just curious. Are you left handed?

[@Likexner]

It sounds a little far fetched. As far as i know, even though you do get an advantage by engaging in an uncommon way, right- or left- handedness develops very early in childhood and you will always have a higher dexterity potential in your strong hand. So the advantage of the learned left-handedness might be overshadowed by the disadvantage of not using your strong hand primarily.

[@romuloambay9624]

in japan never saw a left handed samurai

[@ahmedvincent8026]

pro tip: you can watch series on Kaldrostream. Me and my gf have been using it for watching lots of of movies during the lockdown.

[@coldnova]

Hi Metatron. Would you consider talking about the Ashigaru? Everyone talks about Samurai all the time but forgets about the common foot solider.

[@evan7337]

Agreed. That would be very interesting

[@henriquenakamura5752]

YES PLEASE!

[@AOXization]

coldnova just like how everyone talks about katana and forget about the yari

[@xhuggels]

idk, comparing a ashigaru to a legionary or a knight wouldn't be fair. they would be compared to common foot soldiers of other nations.

[@Ging_10]

What about the mountain warriors Yamabushi. Its said some of them were past Samurais or sometimes monks that isolate themselves in the mountains and even became like legends possessing super natural abilities. I think Metatron would love to talk about the Yamabushi warriors.

[@metro2673]

You put so much work into you videos, a different intro almost every video is so refreshing. Thanks for the quality content and keep it up.

[@archive4058]

The Roman scutem is such an imposing shield. How would samurai and other cultures fight against it?

[@lordzarock2372]

I know right its great

[@xinfinity8532]

Samurai had muskets

[@kungfuhusler]

Archive 405, cannons.

[@SODEMO2007]

Best shot without using gunpowder weapons would probably be mass formations of Naginata-armed Samurai to attempt to cleave through the shields. The Thracians had some success versus the Romans using their Falx blades for this purpose.

[@SansidarUploads]

Yeah, god luck "cleaving" through those giant shields with a flimsy naginata.

[@bschneidez]

I agree, and I like this content as well. It reminds me of deadliest warrior without their complete disregard for relevant information :-p

[@PokemonDiamondUS]

You mean Deadliest Spreadsheet? :p

[@bschneidez]

PokemonDiamondUS​ - Whichever one it is that wouldn't recognize a control group if it hit them in the face XD

[@BigDaddyZelos]

Uuh! I like the idea of Yumi vs British Longbow. Especially because I would like to learn more about the Yumi :D Thanks for all the awesome videos, Metatron! :)

[@AlexEinherjar]

Hell yeah for this series as well. Your channel is becoming one of my favorites.

[@jorgefernandez6407]

VERY GLAD I found your channel! Your content is awesome!!! Thanks btw...

[@paweandonisgawralidisdobrz2522]

My favorite weapon: Pommel

[@perpetualconfusion5885]

Yes.

[@oh-not-the-bees7872]

End him rightly

[@mrmoth26]

Witaj...

[@mrmoth26]

Głowica... NUKLEARNA!!!

[@tyranuel]

mine staff because you can do a lot of strikes in little time so ...

[@zumbimaluco]

Please compare the yumi and the british long/war bow (specially the yew ones)

[@gso619]

Yes, content about yumi in general would be pretty interesting, because so few people bring them up. Which is a shame, cause I was left with the impression that whenever samurai had dick measuring contests, they'd show off their archery skills, so clearly it was a big deal.

[@aussiebloke609]

Toss in the recurve and horse bow of the Mongols. That would be a very interesting comparison. :-)

[@r6guy]

i think the problem is there are very few surviving examples of period wakyu.

[@forestelfranger]

+Random My arrows is bigger than yours. No mine is. No way, you are both wrong, i clearly have the biggest arrow here.

[@lucanic4328]

Short Answer: It was at least as powerful if not even stronger than longbow. Both Japanese and Chinese sources highlight the fact that Japanese Archery was focused on armor penetration, which means powerful bow, heavy arrow with slow speed and less reach. Draw weight is quite hard to find, most of the info you would find on the net say that there are no historical references. However, bow power is not about draw weight only: speed, weight and dimension of the limbs and draw lenght increase the power of the bow. Arrow mass is also important. With a similar draw weight for example a yumi bow is stronger. But at the end of the day is not The bow but the archer the keyfactor

[@margaretschachte489]

I love the variety on your channel! I'm learning so much. Please keep the videos coming.

[@MarkS806]

You should definitely keep going with this series. Comparing two things that you know and understand very well makes for an awesome video. :D

[@chevysuarez7306]

European war horses vs asian war horses which continent or culture developed the best horses in field battles

[@BoxStudioExecutive]

The Han dynasty traded with the Greek-Bactrians for their superior horses in order to combat against the Mongols.

[@Nonamearisto]

Most Asians never used elephants. You don't see them in China or Mongolia, for one thing. Same with Korea, Japan, and most others.

[@BoxStudioExecutive]

Because Indians, Thais and Vietnamese aren't Asians? That's like half the Asian population right there.

[@r6guy]

you can't really just lump all "asian"war horses together. they're pretty different from region to region, kingdom to kingdom.

[@orkhepaj]

we developed tanks and apc :P

[@bobskywalker2707]

Rome conquered the world. Japan couldn't even conquer Japan.

[@itstriplem2069]

Actually it did, it also invade Korea, Manchuria, and most of the eastern Pacific.

[@armynurseboy]

But they weren't successful at those invasions and colonization until the modern era using guns and cannon.

[@SilverforceX]

Because they were too busy killing each other for thousands of years. That's what happens when you're on an isolated island.

[@vvaldbeere]

Rome didn't conquer the world. They conquered the mediterranean. Not even all of europe. Germanic tribes effectively prevented that from happening.

[@bigjawline9235]

They only conquered some of Europe, and then it was defended again by Germanic tribes

[@Autumnful]

I love your videos, and love how your opinions are 100% unbiased and carefully thought out.

[@jammin1881]

Love it! My two personal favorites in one video. Thanks for posting another good un!

[@petelebu]

ill take a gladius and a small shield over a katana ANY DAY, even two gladius

[@juliahenriques210]

The best comparison would always be between Rome and China. Japan is kind of an odd piece for its peculiar circumstances. If you can, please do compare Romans and the Han, for example. :)

[@BoxStudioExecutive]

In a first battle the advantage would probably have gone to the Han. The Romans would have assessed the Han army, and thought it was just like a Greek phalanx. But the standard infantry dagger-axe polearm (a spear with a blade sticking out at the side) of the Han was designed for the purpose of hooking shields to disarm the holder, or to dismember limbs and decapitate heads after a passed spear thrust. Roman armor didn't exactly protect the back of the wearer, especially not on the legs. The Han also had crossbowmen, including mounted crossbowmen, and the Roman armies were notoriously bad at dealing with ranged cavalry. The next battles would see how well the Romans adapted to Chinese army equipment and tactics -- historically the Romans did adapt well to enemy military technology and tactics, so I imagine they would have developed ways to counter the Han army and defeat them. But after that, the war would go to whichever side had more men available for conscription. My money is on the Han, who, at various points in time, could field an army of almost a million soldiers at a single time. I think the most the Romans ever fielded at a single time was about half a million right after the First Punic War against the invading Gauls.

[@epic0wnag]

BoxStudioExecutive yes and the chinese had very high quality steel at the time as well.

[@hexalby]

Implying Romans did not have steel as well.

[@hexalby]

How is the back any less protected exactly? Also it's not true that the Romans had trouble fighting cavalry archers. They fought back for centuries the Parthians and the Persians. When Attila fought against the Romans his army was already very different from the stereotypical asian mounted horde that we imagine. It was mostly levy Germanic infantry gathered by the tribes under Attila's banner. The defeat of Crassus at Charrae was not because the Romans were beaten by horse archers. During the battle actually casualties were extremely limited. The retreat however was executed with such incompetence that the army was scattered. The advantage of crossbows is debatable as is the fact that the Romans did or did not have them. Even if a crossbow is able to lodge itself in a scutum it's not big enough to hinder its use.

[@r6guy]

please don't there are several hundred pages of forum posts filled with nerds screeching at each other over han vs rome comparisons.

[@MatthewWalker_93_]

thank you! the most clearly explained info on swords i've ever heard. epic. thanks.

[@petreanalexandruvaleriu1195]

Awesome,sane,logical and quite complete complete comparisons!

[@ilejovcevski79]

Wasn't the Gladius implemented somewhere after the 1st Punic war, possibly at the start or during the 2nd, when the Romans encountered it in Spain (Gladius Hispaniensis)? I think they used more "Greek like" or indigenous swords before, similar to the Kopis and the Xiphos, right? Anyway, i would certainly like to see an in detail episode on the Gladius types, especially the Spanish version, when it first came to use, and the impact it had on the Legionary performance (allegedly the Macedonians were terrified by it in the 2nd Macedonian war).

[@kolbydavenport4696]

I think that a roman without their shield and armor would be very vulnerable to the katana

[@nooneofimportance2110]

Well thought out argument, I like this format, please continue with it. :)

[@gunnertlc7728]

Your recent content has been awesome Metatron.

[@bcdmasamune]

As an English Longbow practitioner living in Japan, I would love to hear your thoughts on English Longbow vs Yumi.

[@youtubevoice1050]

Hey, that's cheating, Metatron XD. If you compare Gladius and Katana in unarmored combat, you can't let the roman have his shield ;). When excluding shield use, i think Samurai were better trained at duelling, whereas roman legionaries probably focused more on training how to fight in formation, heavily relying on the shield rather than fencing skills (I guess?). On the battlefield, I would agree that the Romans might win because of the phalanx type of combat (which is the reason to not allow left-handed wielding btw).

[@jackreacher4488]

Awesome video. Would you please post a video of you and your friends sparring? I'd love to see someone with a polearm vs someone with sword and shield.

[@Warrnan52]

Great series! Keep up the good work!

[@fathel9221]

please do a video about the scimitar

[@Dezurected]

Metatron video on my birthday, perfect present.

[@TheFuzzyCreeper]

Dezurected It's my birthday as well! Happy birthday to you, friend!

[@elizabethshaw734]

Dezurected happy birthday and many many more! :-)

[@cadeyrndragheim22]

Sorry to be an ass, but he makes videos every day so... It's not that big of a deal imo... If he made once a week and at random, then yeah i agree. Kinda like lindybeige. Happy birthed day!

[@StubenhockerElite]

happy birthday bro

[@xinfinity8532]

Well neither the roman or samurai can unscrew their pommel so both suck

[@wor575]

hello Metatron, has there been a clear measurement on the draw weight of the samurai bows (yami)? as I recall the lorica hamata were riveted mail and therefore could very capably resist arrows from ~80lb bows which is what I often hear the yami is supposed to be.

[@budabead]

Hey Metatron, I'm a relatively new sub, and i have gotta say i really enjoy your content. I found your channel while sessions of Sekiro (shadows die twice) intrigued about the ninja and samurai warfare (fantastical no less...) Keep up the excellent work - looking forward to more of these highly informational and fun to watch content Love from the UK

[@CatholicismRules]

Poll: Metatron + Skallagrim *_VS_* US and Israeli military? Give the comment a like for Metagrim or Skallatron, give it a comment for US + Israeli military.

[@RosssRoyce]

With the katana we have one third of the basic groups of moves as thrust: tsuki thrust, yokomen slanted cut as if on side of neck, and shomen as if vertical onto the top center of head. Then we do lots of upper cuts, ankle cuts, circular cuts. Tsuki has most often the blade up. This position can immediately be shifted into a protective slanted position above head and one shoulder where the opponent's katana slides along your blade. It all comes from an ancient, straight chinese sword of course. Roman swords come from the etruscian and celtic types of short swords.

[@Doradanis1]

I find really amusing when you go into full 'rambling' mode xD But nice video. i found pretty entertaining!

[@NaitsirhcCheck]

Love this series!! Keep it going!

[@rafaelrodrigues7971]

I love how passionate Metatron is about his stuff. Even when it gets a bit too much in his videos, it is like his signature.

[@theaussiebogan9680]

Raff, could you speak about the real early japenese armor/weapons? I am interested but most sites say 'early japenese armor. Here it is. Moving on'

[@TheDarkDesolation]

Great video Metatron, i agree with you in this comparison. Can you talk about the yumi in a next video or a comparison between yumi and long bow? I think would be an interesting one.

[@Possesed_Toribash]

Really nice video man! could you maybe start a series comparing tactics of roman legions ( older legionnaires as backup etc) vs samurai tactics?

[@fathel9221]

do a video about the scimitar

[@rafaelrodrigues7971]

Metatron, was the thureos inferior to the scutum in your opinion?

[@Synystr7]

I would think so, yes. The scutum curved and encased the soldier where as the thureos was flat. That's the advantage I see.

[@nicholas1053]

I think it would depend on the thureos itself and the style or use of the fighter wielding it. If they are both going to be fighting in a solid battle line as heavy line infantry, such as Roman legionaries, then I would say yes, the thureos (though I love it) would be inferior. The thureos does not provide the same amount of full body protection needed in that case that the Roman shield does provide. However, if you were acting as a type of medium to heavy skirmisher or aggressive shock troops charging in to the enemies flanks, I can say I would prefer a thureos provided it was not too big. I think a med thureos is better in that case and the thureos overall in others cases as well but in others the Roman shield is better. For what the purpose, soldier, and style of fighting that the Roman shield was designed for, that is heavy line infantry fighting fairly close together with an all business no nonsense thrusting type sword and style or perhaps even a hasta, it is the absolute best. . . imo

[@alessandronavone6731]

Synystr In terms of cone of protection, curved shields provide less than flat shields, not more. The shields are curved so that they can make enemy blows glance, not to "encase" the soldier.

[@nicholas1053]

Alessandro Navone I agree with you party. The cone of protection statement, given it has equal width, is true. However, in this context, it is more complicated. A "cone" of protection assumes a linear attack such as gunfire encountered in modern warfare. Other than some thrust that isn't the case in melee combat of the time. It also assumes an attack from only one point and that point being directly in front of you, also not the case. They would be fighting in and against a battle line of enemies using mostly spears. A legionary would be vulnerable to attack from not only the man in front but also from the first and even second man beside him on each side. From these positions a convex shield can provide greater protection. Also, while a flat shield does provide a greater cone of protection from linear attacks from the front than a curved shield of equal width, the points of difference we're talking about here are the edges where the shield has curved around the body. If you take the final point on the cone that the scutum blocks (the tangent) and continue the line of attack, it's a miss, so any positions lateral to this are irrelevant. If the flat thureos and curved scutum were smaller, say half of body width such that the scutum could not wrap around the sides of the body, you would be dead on. In that case the flat shield would provide superior protection. It's just that the angles and more importantly the positions of attack from which the shield needs to defend while in a battle line are many and would, if graphed, look more like an upside-down triangle or hourglass than a cone. Your principle is perfectly correct though, as far I know, just wrong in this context.

[@alessandronavone6731]

Fair point, Nicolavs. I did a few drawings and now think you might be right.

[@SergioR00]

I love this comparison series! Do you only do older centuries or do you also like later centuries like the 19th or 20th?

[@yourguyrollo2114]

Metatron love your videos man! My grandparents are from alcamo, in Sicily don't know if you've ever been? Do you know where I could buy the best replica roman weapons here in the USA that are historically accurate or as close as they can be ?

[@aaronseet2738]

Don't give Ubisoft any ideas for For Honor 2.

[@buildawall5803]

To late

[@ohmaigods]

Sorry this is out of topic, but may you consider a video about Mongol weapons and tactics

[@paweandonisgawralidisdobrz2522]

Epidemics, poison gas, hit and run.

[@ohmaigods]

Forgetting rape and run, that's key

[@achijatheizzetbard]

Love this series! Plz continue!

[@Ondraeden]

Love it. You should definitely do some bow comparisons and bow vs crossbow

[@anthoselongstride8309]

I feel that this is the best time to pose a question to the comments: What sword do you think would be best for someone with no martial training? This question is not referring to weak people or to any weapons other than a sword.

[@necrogenesis1981]

Depends on the time period and the region, but one example is the messer.

[@stefanvanreeth5719]

A wooden practice sword of any shape or size.

[@anthoselongstride8309]

I'm talking about any period. If someone who was completely inexperienced and they had to pick a sword to face a variety of opponents, what sort of sword would you recommend and why?

[@Nonamearisto]

Maybe a Cinquedea? Not a great sword, but very easy to use. Just stab in a given direction. That's basically it.

[@CanadianHoneybadger]

Ironically I'd say the gladius and roman shield is a good weapon for the unskilled. My other advice is to ditch swords, grab a spear, or a crossbow, or an axe

[@roberth4395]

The best way to start a new day.

[@wirogalos3377]

Hello, great content good job. I have a question, as far as I know Japanese use two swords the katana ans the wakasashi; could something similar be used in Europe like a messer and a broadsword or a gladius and a spatha? Just a thought.

[@SuNNyGxD]

‪@pureMetatron Hello.. recently ive seen the video where u play the game for honor. Now where the game is released i asked myself if u still play this game ? And i had a question. There are a lot of executions for every Charakter some are realistic some are just redicolous but since i dont know as much about history as u do could u rate them in terms of historical accuraty or at least realism ? That would be awesome. Keep up ur good work love ur channel‬

[@thegingerwon2795]

Are you trying to get Roman solders into 'For Honour'? Hahahahahahahaha

[@metatronyt]

I wish!

[@goncalopereira2110]

Metatron Speaking of For Honor it seens the new hero for the knights has been leaked and the class is called "The Centurion". Go now and main him when he's realesed bruh!!!!!

[@rougevariable8873]

Metatron You got it, the Centurion is here, and it broke the game.

[@galahad5658]

They also got Gladiators now.

[@adude9610]

hello Metatron! this is a huge coment. but I think it's an enjoyable read with many important points on the video's topic you've been warned ;) I think there's no point in comparing gladius by itself against a katana or Any weapon. all Roman legionaires, centurions and legatus were trained to use the gladius with a scutum. it's a One Handed weapon that is as minimalist as possible due to the scutum providing all things the gladius doesn't do when It comes to protection. a katana, a Nodachi, a nagamaki or whatever japanese Sword that has a handle to prove so was made for two-handed use and samurai were trained to use It like that, Just like Roman legionaires were trained to use a gladius with a scutum. resumé: gladius: *Battlefield weapon *made to be used with a scutum *purposefully short due to the closing-in trainings and for less clumsiness in a "Shield wall" formation (main defensive AND offensive strategy in the Roman Empire) *made for thrusting from behind the scutum. Katana: *backup weapon, not mainly used in the Battlefield due to the samurai's far superior weapons when It comes to Battlefield, like the nagamaki, the tachi, naginata or even the nodachi If the wielder is strong enough due to it's incredible reach (even though you should get a nagamaki If you like big japanese Swords. in my opinion ;)) *longer *made for two-handed use due to it's handle length. *also purposefully, but nonsensically useless "guard" since the weapon is meant to be used by itself and has nothing to protect the hands, not even armor, since most samurai armors didn't have effective hand protection as shown by Metatron's armor showcase. this also leads to worst parrying capacity when compared to the european longsword tecniques and makes the katana style weapons in general less reliable and more requisitive of timing and skill If you don't ant to lose fingers, wich makes them Blur when compared to the effectiveness and conveniency of the european guards, even more so when It comes to 15th to 16th century, with closed-hand guards and Messer Nails being aplied. *made for slashing, making it's reach not as significant as the gladius due to thrusting attacks usually using the full length of the arms, the weapons and, in case of the romans, shoulder and torso turn due to It being a one-handed blade. what I mean Is that It wouldn't be Fair to compare the gladius by itself to a katana by itself. it's the same as comparing a gladius+scutum with a Katana being used One-handed and with a Shield. doesn't make sense since the Fighters using them wouldn't use them like that. last point: "gladius is made to be used with scutum and katana made to be used with armor" well, gladius was also always used with armor both by legionaires and gladiators even though armor in different parts of the body for those, so we can say the gladius was made to be used with armor as well, but a full equiped legionaire against a samurai with only a katana would be complete overkill and the samurai would lose If they were equally skilled. even If you make the roman Soldier naked and the samurai fully armored, the legionaire would win because he could easily thrust into the gaps in the armor, and samurai armor is known for purposefully leaving some spots unprotected for the sake of movement, like the feet and the Neck sometimes. the katana is Just not effective atavoiding a scutum and all the samurai could really do is to keep his distance or try to grab the shield, wich would be a big Gamble since the katana would be used with only One hand and it would demand close-in: the legionaire's speciality. romans were the pinnacle of the time when It comes to ground-fighting, formations, defense and ofense, even having Pilla to throw, adding range to their arsenal. the samurai, exactly the opposite were mainly Archers and were the pinnacle of that until medieval Europe came in crashing both disputants in this discution in my opinion. the equipment that would make It even, as Metatron Said, would be a naginata maybe. too big of a range advantage, but being even/losing to Warriors from dozens of centuries before them does not look good for the japanese samurai, I would say. even though I still think the Nagamaki is a second Winner Swords but when It comes to being awesome, cool and bad ass, losing to the shorter-bladed european greatswords. the length and weight of longswords but the huge Greatsword handle is Just awesome. it's basically a European version of a Nagamaki, but with an incredible and effective guard ;)

[@jonahwashburn1163]

I completely agree that it doesn't look good for the samurai to have his sword struggle against one from thousands of years earlier. However, I do think you may have misplaced some thoughts about samurai armor. Sure, they do leave quite a few vulnerable points, but don't think they are easily reached. I haven't done too much study of martial arts, but I have with my friends assembled roman tetsudo formations and such, and done sparring with other weapons against such formations, and while the huge shield is O.P., I don't think a samurai would be so doomed as you make out. The samurai has been training to protect his vulnerable points all the time, whereas if the samurai managed to get past the roman's shield, the roman is toast. To say that 'oh, the roman closes quarters and then its over', is pretty ridiculous. Is the samurai going to let him? and then is he going to leave his vulnerable points vulnerable? Finally, the Japanese did use shields, and actually shields pretty close to roman shields. Look up Antony Cummins, I think one of his Hattori Hanzo videos. So the samurai is trained to fight shields, but for some reason, the samurai still decided not to use shields most of the time, even though 70% of their casualties are due to arrows. so I'm saying don't think once distance is closed its over, the samurai still knows what he's doing, and if we want to talk about less armor around the wrists, the romans don't get to talk to the samurai. Anyways, thats just my 2 cents.

[@slenpaiwashere3599]

A Dude thanks for typing this out for me :)

[@aussiebloke609]

+A Dude Sounds about right to me - as far as I know, anyway. The one thing people always seem to forget is that the rest of the legionary's equipment was part of the design - his weapons and tactics are predicated by that equipment. Not to mention that his weapon and equipment was designed to be used in a formation, alongside other legionaries. I'd imagine a wall of scuta with gladius blades thrusting out between them would be hard to get past with a primarily slashing weapon like the katana. Tactics and styles of attack - free-for-all melee, or formations, ranged or cavalry - counts for much. Not to mention the tactics of those people they're fighting. The Roman way of fighting was obviously effective _in its time_ against a wide variety of cultures and tactics, as history shows. Not to say that the katana isn't a good weapon - just that it was designed and intended for use in a very specific setting, using very different tactics, and against very different opponents.

[@nicholas1053]

How would the Roman be doomed if they got past the shield but the Samurai is not doomed despite having no shield (and they really didn't use shields during the time which they used the katana)? You do know that the Romans all wore great armor. They would be wearing either the lorica hamata which is riveted mail that the samurai could not cut through and the geometry of the katana's point makes would make it very difficult for them to thrust through it. They would have to get them in the gaps such as the armpits, or the face. The other common armor of the Romans was the lorica laminata, which is plate armor through which you could neither cut nor thrust. The two soldiers seem to be in the same position except the Roman has a large shield. In my opinion, if the two are fighting in a one on one duel with a sword only, no shield, I would put my money on the katana wielding samurai. In a battle between a line of fully equipped Romans against a line of fully equipped samurai, the Romans would dominate.

[@jonahwashburn1163]

I like to think that comparing two cultures that never fought is kinda silly, like saying a baseball player is a superior athlete to a tennis players, and justifying it by saying that because they both wack balls in their sport it's a fair comparison. Did you watch the video I suggested? It clearly states that yes, samurai used shields, and yes, at the same time as, and In conjunction with katana. It just wasn't popular cuz their armor made up for the lack of defence. As for your statement about fully equipped this against fully equipped that, let's think about Roman tactics, where they succeeded and failed, and vice versa. Roman strategy was gold for fighting phalanx formations due to the pilla removing shields from the equation. But what happened when they tried to fight the Celts? They lost. They ended up pulling a Donald trump and building a wall, cuz it was too much to deal with. How bout when the Romans tried to fight cavalry? Yea, ever heard of attilla the hun? Yea, that didn't work so well for Rome either. Now let's look at the samurai, they don't have shields, so while the pilla can still kill, it's lost its true potential. The samurai use a mix of the two things Romans sucked against, mounted archers and guerilla styled melee combat. And yes, they side have formations, but I'm saying you need to recheck your logic. And I'm saying if we take the Romans shield away and say, well obviously the samurai, then why can't it be the same if the samurai gets past it? And finally, this is just my opinion, if the Roman shield is so great, why do we have accounts of them getting pierced by arrows and spears, who h just so happen to be the primary weapons of the samurai? Again, the two train differently to fight different opponents, tennis player vs baseball player, but your statement of ' fully equipped vs fully equipped is kinda skewed.

[@MedievalGenie]

Regarding Longbow vs Yumi, do you have full *training and experience* in archery?

[@lelonelyguy2354]

Hi Metatron! I am just wondering if your katana is commissioned, bought from somewhere or for display? I can't really see it, anyways thanks and have a great day

[@alexanderthegreat6109]

Have you ever thought of doing a scimitar video

[@juliusiv4410]

1200 Tectonic Knight or Late Japanese Samurai. who would you be.

[@Catonius]

The Tectonic Knight can cause earthquakes so I choose him.

[@mifunesaurus]

Plus he has tectonic plates armour

[@anatoliecazacu4074]

Catonius one Tectonic knight can just sink Japan with a Tsunami by using his powers to cause earthquakes. Tectonic power is no joke, and Japan knows that since 2011, if I remember...how was that thing that exploded called...

[@ConstantineJoseph]

Is that the new marvel character?

[@juliusiv4410]

Constantine Joseph​ if you want it to be then yeah.

[@jorgemartbeck7617]

Very interesting your video. I would like you to make a comparison between Gladious and the Xiphos, thank you very much

[@mikeyskitchenfoodporn1171]

Love your series of videos, I always find them so informative and even if I don't agree with some points. I always enjoy your well informed opinions. I mean Lee enjoy training with and practicing the use of the sabre and European straight blade swords from the fifteenth and sixteenth Century by Design. I recently purchased a very cheap United Cutlery Gladius in order to find out what it feels like to wield one. If I like it and find it fun which I'm sure I will I might upgrade to a Condor tool and Knife Company Mainz gladius or a CAS Iberia Legacy Mainz gladius. Being a Polish first generation American my first love has always been the Polish style Sabre with thumb Loop or comprable fifteenth and sixteenth Century Sabres. But after watching your first couple of videos my curiosity has gotten the better of me and I purchase this cheap but fairly well rated United Cutlery Commander Gladius. Keep up with the videos I'll try to find your link and support your excellent series.

[@TheJimmyp427]

Every time this guy says "katana," ICE deports a Puerto Rican.

[@SSchithFoo]

His pronunciation is mostly correct. The T in Katana is more of a TH sound in Japanese.

[@enovos3138]

I'm so confused

[@j.h-j5j]

Why would ICE deport Puerto Ricans? They are US citizens.

[@neutronalchemist3241]

In the 1 vs 1 situation, especially if you remove the scutum, you should probably give the gladium to a gladiator. A warrior much more used to 1 vs 1 fights. For the formation fight, it would be important to know the samurai to legionaries ratio. Infact you are right saying that legionaries were comparable to elite units, and that's precisely the matter. Romans could field a huge number of trained soldiers. Samurais instead were elite units, while the bulk of a Japanese army was composed of armed peasants, the kind of infantry the legionaries loved to tear apart.

[@sumitdevbharadwaj]

Perfect explanation of different aspects of both weapons and styles. you do have knowledge dear.

[@12maax12]

After playing a lot of nioh recently I would love to see a video on the kusarigama pls love your videos btw

[@uros2321]

Why not against Praetorian Guard? They were elite guards who guarded emperor they would surely be stronger then a basic legionare. They were handpicked from whole army so when you pick 100 out of 100 000 they must be special

[@LouisKing995]

Uros² for most of their existence, the Pretorian guards barely saw any real combat. They had the best equipment sure, because they "protected" the emperor. But they weren't anywhere near as battle hardened as the average legionary. This changed when Diocletian reformed them, and made it so that you could only serve in the Praetorian guards once you'd served as a legionary in active service on the frontier, for a certain period of time. And he further curtailed their power by never being in Rome, where their camp was, anyway, so they had barely any influence over him. But prior to that, service in the praetorians was almost hereditary, it was a social institution of Rome more than a true military unit. The praetorians where really just pampered, corrupt King-makers who hardly ever left Rome. They spent more time meddling in politics, and making themselves rich, than actually fighting. They were so corrupt that Constantine simply abolished them when he finally took power. Only Augustus' Praetorians came close to being the true "elite" bodyguards of the emperor that they were meant to be, since they were the original praetorians. But again, even they, barely had any combat experience, since they spent most of their time stationed in Rome, guarding the emperor. In terms of keeping piece and order within the city, even that job wasn't really done by the praetorians, but rather by the Urban Cohorts and the city watch.

[@uros2321]

Well they were handpicked from whole military so its expected for them to be veterans even before they get selected for pg, also I heard that they had the best training after they became pg

[@LouisKing995]

Uros² That was only after Diocletian's reforms. And that tradition broke down fairly quickly anyway. For the period where the praetorians were a relevant force within the empire(so from their inception under Augustus upon until Diocletian) they weren't proper soldiers, just pampered, quasi politicians who made themselves rich off of bullying the senate and meddling in political games within Rome, and who did literally no fighting of any kind. So they never at any point had "the best training" except possibly under Augustus reign, when they were first created . They were also essentially hereditary during this time. After Diocletian's reforms, they supposedly became, veterans picked from the front lines, but it wasn't long after the reforms, that choosing men for the praetorians became a low level priority, since the emperors rarely resided in Rome after Diocletian, so the significance of the PG became became practically nil.(Diocletian only visited Rome once during his entire 30 year reign, and no other emperor would use Rome as the imperial capital for the rest of the empire'd existence. The city did remain culturally significant though, but the praetorians didn't) And As I said, when Constantine took power, about 50 years after Diocletian's reforms, he disbanded the guard completely.

[@RR-ts7yo]

Love the English sabre, between the katana and gladius, I take the gladius.

[@gabriellatsinogloy9665]

Great work man!You could try the Chinese jian in the next series as well🙂

[@disappointingweaslethefirs950]

Hey Megatron. I was wondering if you could do a video about the importance of eyes in popular media like anime. I have done some lookimg around and can't find a good reason for all of these anime to have ocular powers.

[@gannykrishnan]

Please, please, don't rest the sword near your neck while talking. it may be blunt but it is a bad habit. Other than that I really like your videos.

[@duchessskye4072]

why? It's a perfect way to carry a sword

[@theaussiebogan9680]

Its even historically depicted, with things like the landsknecht carry zwiehander resting on their shoulder

[@zuriach1321]

its a sword not a lightsaber

[@gannykrishnan]

Were the historical depictions bare swords or sheathed ones. Not arguing just asking.

[@joost1120]

Bare swords. Even the sharpest sword doesn't cut you if you rest it on your skin.

[@anthonyaferrara]

A Roman gladius would smash through a katana. I've seen comparisons like this before, where people seem to view Samurai as having almost super-natural powers. The Roman legionaries were HEAVY infantry. The Samurai were not. The Romans would have cut through feudal Samurai very easily...not even close.

[@Asparagaceae]

It's one thing to say Roman legionaries would crush fedual Japanese forces. It's an entirely different thing to say that a gladius would "smash" a katana. The gladius wasn't used because it was an amazing sword but because it was the ideal sword for Roman tactics and battle formations at the time. Common sense says that in a one on one situation the longer sword would have the advantage and even the Romans knew this which was why the gladius was eventually replaced by the much longer spatha.

[@SilverforceX]

Samurai do not clash swords like in movies. Proper training of the Katana, defensive use is a parry or deflect, followed by a counter all in one motion. In this instance, the trained Samurai would keep distance, probe and wait for an opening for one counter and it's gg.

[@SSchithFoo]

But it wouldn't cut through your thick skull

[@SirKnight1096]

Outstanding idea for a series. I like it. Also, can you show us your parents works and compare/contrast between present day painting and poetry with that of the past?

[@mikejames8025]

I know I’m late to comment but I hardly ever comment on anything just the type I am but just wanted to say love your content I like that u give an opinion based on facts all in all just keep up the good work man

[@matthewbaugh2432]

Very good analysis!

[@lucasserafim4152]

Hi, Metatron. Do you think that the lorica segmentata has similarities with the japanese armour? Would you consider making a video comparing japanese armour with roman armour? By the way, your videos are awesome.

[@michaelkelly4044]

Great comparison. Fascinating topic

[@123443567]

Metatron can you link the video you used of the Katana Kata?

[@mikemac1298]

I love this series! Please so more!

[@pasqualeponterosso1956]

Gentile Signor Metatron, Absolutely love your channel. Don't know how you have managed to make a living out of something you so obviously love doing, but it gives me hope that it is a possibility (instead of doing a job that I just MUST do for the sake of money/family/mortgage etc...!). I would really like to get hold of a good Katana. I already have some Roman weaponry and armour (modern reproductions obviously). In your opinion, how do you define a good katana and where could I source one from, and how much should I expect to spend? Does it have to be an antique, are there modern ones made to the same specifications and methods? Sorry for all the questions. Any guidance from you would be greatly appreciated. Do you run any sort of schools/classes/lessons/lectures in Italy? I am currently living in UK but want to go back to Italy. Many thanks for any info you can give me. Kind regards and best wishes, Paz.

[@pawe6199]

hi Metatron, great vid but what is the music used right after intro in 0:13?

[@henriquenakamura5752]

Could you please talk about the chokuto, tsurugi, and other pre-katana japanese swords?

[@thelonerider5644]

Cool I'm Sinister! were historical katana lengths akk that similar to reproductions? I've found most repros advertised with 28" blades. But if historically they were shorter, than in conjunction with two handed use which gives less reach anyway, the weapon's reach should be similar to a gladius with a bit longer blade say 22"?

[@thelonerider5644]

Edit: "all" not "akk" typing with bandaged finger sorry...

[@ecksdeeeXD]

I'm curious if you could do a critique or a video on Egyptian weapons and armor.

[@silver_425]

Were do you recomend you buy Katanas and Nodachis ?

[@machine3589]

Hi Metatron, could you make a video about all the types of gladius?

[@thatgal8700]

Definitely continue this series! Subbing just to get notifications for it

[@Glegionar]

Personally I like these kinds of videos, even though talking about "who would win" is always a bit a "hollow" talking. But, since we talk about weapons and armours, I'm glad if you keep doing these. Also, I would like to hear from you about "The battle of Vesuvius", expecially to hear you talking about the "Devotio" of the roman general :D

[@ilikewasabe]

hello Raf! can you talk about the 7 forms of light saber combat?

[@wolf222555]

Fascinating! Samurai V legionnaire. Never thought of that scenario. this is why i watch your videos. Well done.

[@MrFastJ]

You mentioned it right at the end, what about when they are wearing armor?

[@jtknightmare5054]

Do you know of how a jumonji yari would be used in comparison with a normal yari?

[@apocraphontripp4728]

Dear Sir... Always enjoy your video's. I have to ask....can we see you spar with a gladius vs a katana? Both in full get up and gear. It would be a treat for your viewers I think. Thank you.

[@amralqatawy2212]

fam can you compare the Arabian/Persian Saifs (blades) i.e Sabers & Scimitars, like the Ottoman Killijis, Shamshirs & the legendary Zulfiqar...etc with the European & Japanese warfare blades? Oh yeah & may I know your opinion on damascus mythical steel?

[@huntercollins3686]

Hey metatron I'm a fan of your work and was curious about just how many languages you are confident in saying that you are fluent in

[@Fightbreak]

great video by the way :)

[@reticulatedgamer7717]

Could you do a vid on pre samurai Japanese warriors? Also didnt romans use Javelins?

[@sylvanstrength7520]

Please continue!

[@qaidikramuddin]

Hello Metatron. Good video as usual. Thank you. Where did you purchase the Gladius. I'm having trouble finding one that comes with a scabbard.

[@metatronyt]

Armae ;)

[@qaidikramuddin]

Thank you.

[@dompiumelli]

Very well made videos! You bring honor to the ancestors by not forgetting.

[@Ironaho]

Do you think it would be better to compare the wakizashi to the gladius maybe? Spatha v. Katana?

[@calebgoodson7720]

Great thoughts, Metatron. I would love to hear more from this series.