ROMAN SWORD DEVELOPMENT: Gladius Hispaniensis, Mainz, Pompeii, Spatha

[@scholagladiatoria]

This video is kindly sponsored by History Hit: With code SCHOLAGLADIATORA you will get 50% off first 3 months. This is the link which applies the code at the sign up page: access.historyhit.com/checkout?code=scholagladiatora&plan=monthly

[@AdlerMow]

31:46 - Did romans had two handed swords?

[@AdlerMow]

Did the romans mass manufacturd single piece handles in turning lathes? Maybe it explains why they are round and spherical?

[@brokeandtired]

The change of sword can be explained easily by the profile taper. The Greek style sword was tip heavy for cutting...this would make it tiring to use in a long stabbing battle due to weight at tip. The Gladius is better weight profiled for hours of thrusting in a line.

[@arnijulian6241]

Wrought Iron has Carbon but isn't steel. In manufacturing Steel is an Iron allow that had be treated by heat. Wrought Iron can be hardened by work hence wrought meaning worked iron though pure iron can't be work hardened. Hittites around 1800 learnt to make wrought iron they used to make small weapon like spear & arrow tips hard enough for a point but nothing large. Oldest steel is Noric steel since prior to 300bc from the tribes in Noricum the Roman conquered Noricum around 15 BC though traded for steel prior since at least 200BC very roughly. Note: Bog Iron existed before steel but this is a natural product that has carbon from nature that is forged but not smelted thus not truly man made as nature did most of the hard work. Rome had access to bog Iron forming it since 700Bc very very roughly though possibly as early as 1100 BC in the region before Rome but non of the latter is certain due to simple entropy of information over time.

[@adamsneath6976]

Hi Matt - I have to ask as a gecko owner myself, what is in the terrarium on your shelf? Maybe dart frogs or a tarantula?

[@metatronyt]

You made my day

[@Intranetusa]

Glad you got your monetization back!

[@metatronyt]

@@Intranetusa Thanks!

[@colinvandervoort8047]

Roma victa!

[@Vlad_Tepes_III]

Ayyy~ Look who's here~

[@MaaZeus]

@@Intranetusa ...and hopefully with an apology. Wishful thinking I know but still. 😅

[@phoeben9764]

A deep dive into swords of the Byzantine empire would be great. It's a topic that is underdiscussed.

[@casper1581]

Yes, definitely!

[@Kalense]

I agree.

[@dwaynestomp5462]

Indeed!

[@dx63]

It's dasn't be Byzantine empire but East Greek roman empire of Constantinople.

[@willymassey8273]

​@@dx63also Varangian Guard used the gear of their society, north Germanic in particular.

[@Greensleeve11]

It'd be cool to see a companion video on the evolution of the Roman shield.

[@HarryFlashmanVC]

Living up on Hadrian's Wall, the oval auxiliary shield makes a lot of sense, try handling the rectangular shield in bracken, undergrowth or nettles which proliferate in northern Europe in the campaigning season.

[@peterkeane7767]

Cossack Swords would be topical, and they are very much a part of their Culture i.e. 'Dance' also the Gaucho Knives of Argentina are of similar interest, thanks !

[@asterixdogmatix1073]

RIP Ray Stevenson, who played Titus Pullo in 'Rome'.

[@inregionecaecorum]

Considering the timeline of the Roman Empire it is hardly surprising there was so much variation. I was reminded by comparison of the Bowie knife that is only around 200 years old. There is a vast range of different blades, but we all know what a Bowie knife is when we see one.

[@zoiders]

I was taking in The Saxon Horde at Birmingham museum and they have reconstructed a very beautiful pommel and hilt of of one of the swords. While dating to post Romano Britain it's bears an inescapable resemblance to a Roman cavalry sword. The Angles and Saxons were most certainly employed as auxiliaries by the Romans so it's not surprising to see that pattern continuing among the Saxon military classes who arrived in Britain later on.

[@brittakriep2938]

Do you think, the germanic tribes consist only of Vikings and Anglosaxons? Being a member of swabian/alemanic tribe ( my girlfriend Britta is from frankish tribe), i know the Spatha as part of weapons kit from the graves of wealthier warriors. In nearly every swabian village, especially those, ending with - ingen you find graves of alemanic people from third to sixth century ( some nobles had grave equipment up to early seventh century). The mens graves contain weapons, depending on wealth, poor or middle wealthy warriors had only a seax. In the many Homeregion Museums of my region, you see hundreds of seax Blades, fewer Spathas and uncountable shieldbosses and spearheads.

[@zoiders]

@@brittakriep2938 Neah fella. You ain't.

[@lowlandnobleman6746]

Not surprising at all sense Roman Spatha were based on Celtic and Germanic swords. Look at some of the longer La Téne swords and you’ll see exactly where the idea originated.

[@fancymcclean6210]

@@brittakriep2938 As I understand it, the Seax sword is what gave the Saxons their name. Flaxen Saxon.

[@brittakriep2938]

@@zoiders ???

[@user-ti2uz8sb9t]

The most informative and erudite discussion on the iconic Gladius Hispaniensis I have ever had the pleasure to listen to. This weapon has always had a special interest for me, my family having reputedly ancient Roman ancestry by old family word-of-mouth legend (of course we all know how much faith you can put in those tales). As a lifelong student of historical arms, I flattered myself that I knew everything that was generally known about the use, construction, and development of this "most deadly of all swords" (called so only because it can account for more overall casualties than any other single style or type of sword due to the size and longevity of the Empire that used it, and the relatively uniform sword pattern(s) issued throughout that long period). And yet 40 years later, sitting in front of a computer, I learn that the Romans pattern-welded some sword blades! I never even suspected this fact, and actually would become personally insulted and openly irritated when I would see a "Damascus" (erroneous term), or pattern welded Roman Gladius Hispaniensis displayed for sale or in a reenactment! I never thought it would feel so marvelous to be wrong, it almost makes me feel like a young weapons collector again! Thank you so much for this truly enlightening experience. Bravo!

[@steemlenn8797]

The Hispaniensis is simply the most beautiful "short" sword.

[@paulking8491]

Would love to see a video on the Transition for the Roman sword into the Migration Period swords with more of your perspective on how changes in combat and armor could have dictated changing features.

[@kaoskronostyche9939]

This was great! Slices of history - a particular sword or battle - are very interesting but seeing the development of this technology and the context within which that development occurred is just so rich and delicious. Your presentations are always engaging, interesting and entertaining. Thank you so much for another dive into martial history. Cheers!

[@DrJuice1]

So wait...Roman swords weren't forged a couple at a time in some ramshackle, barely functioning forge in the woods by like 1 guy who was mostly guessing?

[@overlorddante]

​@@hulking_presence you sound like no one loves you

[@andrewallason4530]

@@hulking_presenceget outside and see the blue sky, touch some grass. Get out of that wank-funk you have created in your mommy’s basement.

[@spawniscariot9756]

I was going to say, “ignore the woman hating fool”-that’s trolling from the comment below yours… …but… …after reading some of it’s previous comments on this channel my advice has changed to, “Ignore the foaming-mouth bigot”

[@buffewo6386]

​@Дмитрий Горборуков Perhaps you misunderstand the understanding that a majority of people today have for anything since the smartphone was invented. Irony, scarcasm, and the Reducio Ad Absurdum argument of formal logic to not grasp he point. All of these techniques are part of many teaching methodologies. And all you bring up is an Germanic explaination of an ancient Norse concept that divination is not befiting a man because it refers to the activity of weaving? Because women tended to do that vital task more than men in their culture? A more appropriate term from the Old Norse would be argr (" unmanliness" in english). Please at least try to use an insult properly. Or do you forget that Odin All-Father also practiced that art? For your instruction in how to do things properly. (Which I provide as a public service.) Let me see... Slavic screen name, Neo-Pagan religious pretentiousness, and a lack of general understanding on how reasonable people interact since the 1st (or early 2nd) millenia A.D... My guess is that you have pretentions of being an scion of the Norse who became one of the components of what became the Garðaríki, better known to the western world as the Kyivan Rus? Forgeting the Slav, Finn, and other tribal intermingling at the time? Much less the further mixing in modern times? That makes as much sense as claiming that I must be a descendant of Genghis Kahn because I have a furry hat I like. Now, please, go educate yourself before again embarasing yourself with pretentions of adequacy. (Lesson ends.)

[@buffewo6386]

@Drjuice1 Maybe you need to add Odin to your screen name. The All-Father was a praticioner of what he accused you of. (Explanation in my reply to him)

[@WhatIfBrigade]

When you mentioned the handguard I'm reminded of how similar it looks to Migration Era "Viking" handguards. Both designs allow you to easily work around, brace or help manipulate the shield with your sword hand without dropping your sword.

[@greenjack1959l]

You said the V word. Shame on you 😊

[@triskeldeian4989]

As you talked about it very much, it would be interesting to see an analysis of the evolution of the scutum

[@greenjack1959l]

I've often wondered just how standardised Roman, and other ancient civilisations military equipment was. Obviously there were approved patterns, but given the number of different small manufacturers that must have been involved there must have been great diversity in the finished product.

[@patrickdusablon2789]

After the Marian Reforms, the Roman military did standardize soldiers' kit. When the state became responsible for equipping professional soldiers (as opposed to the pre-Marius Roman military, where soldiers were called for service on a conscription and lottery basis and only trained at that time and had to supply their own arms and armour), standard-issue kit makes a lot of economical sense. It allows for setting a set price point for everything, and a degree of economy of scale when shops dedicated to making army equipment can be set up.

[@EriktheRed2023]

Thank you so much for talking about the spatha getting common among the Roman infantry. This is a point (no pun intended) that has confused me no end for years now.

[@julianwarren7770]

Love the fact your using what I understand to be the correct term,”pattern welded”! I see so many people referring to this as “Damascus”, including modern blacksmiths!!!

[@wilkannen8346]

So impressed. You are just pumping out top quality content recently. Stuff that will be a strong resource for years to come. Fantastic work. 🎉

[@762M80]

On the point of the shape of the transition from blade to tang...a 90° inside corner will be a dynamic stress focal point. By putting a radiused or reduced angle inside corner in that spot, it allows stresses to sort of flow around the corner and dissipate, rather than focusing stresses. This makes the transition stronger and more flexible, especially when set into a supporting structure like the hilt and grip and tensioned by the pommel, much like the cables in post tension concrete slabs.

[@KevDaly]

The early medieval Irish swords I've seen look very much like the Pompeii gladius, which would make sense if they'd encountered those as mercenaries or raiders in Roman Britain, although the timing might not be right. Also on the slashing question: The horror expressed by the Macedonians at the woulds inflicted by Roman weapons (I think at Cynoscephalae?) with lots of severed limbs and so on suggests a lot of hacking was going on (that one also surprises me, since they would've been familiar with the kopis, which must have been a horrific weapon)

[@lowlandnobleman6746]

If you’re talking about the ones from circa. 6th-9th century AD, that’s a bit too late, I think. They were likely just a late variant of the Iron Age shortswords that were so prolific in Ireland and Britain. It is worth bearing in mind that not everything had to be invented or inspired by the Romans. On the contrary, Romans themselves copied other designed when they saw the merits in it. Their gladius was just a romanized La Téne B sword originally used by the Celtic tribes in Gaul and Iberia. Their mail shirts and oval shields and montefortino helmets were also based on those of the Gauls. The Romans were not above taking someone else’s good idea (even taking from the so called “barbarians”) and using it on an industrial scale. It worked out well for the Romans. Going back to Irish swords, I would be interested in learning why Irish arming swords, long swords, and greatswords all had that open ring pommel. That’s been bugging me for a while now. I’d like to see Matt talk a bit about Irish swords, as they are rather overlooked by most people.

[@hormonuspubertetus5230]

Great video as always! Would love to see you do a deep dive into the change of shields used by the romans as it seems the way they employed their tactics changed with them. Would also love a look into the change in armor and helmet types from the 3rd century into the 4th

[@jacobcerniglia6035]

Perhaps the Romans liked the shape of that handle not only for the reasons you stated, but because they could have been easier to mass produce with something like a lathe. I know a lot of handles had ornate decorations, but from a mass produced infantry weapon it makes a lot of sense

[@caspar_van_walde]

Your pronunciation of ,,Ahlspieß" was on point😅. Congratulations!

[@Mandromeda]

This was so insightful! Again I felt like it expanded on and reinforced things I had learned elsewhere in my own research! I'd love if you did a followup video on byzantine/greek sword evolution too!

[@myparceltape1169]

Pompei being a Naval Base, is it possible that it was a store of 'sea service' swords that were mostly found there?

[@penhullwolf5070]

A point in favour of the Germanic influence being responsible for the adoption of the Spatha is that late stage Rome has a huge number of Germanic warriors fighting in its armies.

[@dabo5078]

But thats around 100 years after the widespread adoption of the spatha. We also do know fromc cross border trade that the Germans loved to import roman spatha for their own use during times when relations aren't as hostile.

[@Sinderfolm]

@@dabo5078 Actually the early swords of "germanic" origin were single cut/blade swords that are formaly far away from the spatha type "long" -swords that were used in the celtic world for several hundred years till the romans adapted the spatha.

[@hjorturerlend]

One of several pieces of Roman kit that's often an anachronism in depictions of republican era Roman soldiers. You often see the pegged pila and gladii in depictions of Roman troops from the Second Punic War when the whole story of that sword is how the Romans adopted it *after* that war. Romans of that period should should primarily be depicted with La Tene B swords - which the Romans had switched to in the 3rd century BC, the Xiphos was already going out by the time of the 2nd Punic War. Another one is Mainz-type gladii and Coolus helmets in depictions of Caesarian troops.

[@scholagladiatoria]

My understanding is that the Mainz type gladius was indeed still in service under Julius Caesar, and there was a period of about 20-40 years where the Mainz and Pompeii types were both in service (as well as the hybrid ones)?

[@hjorturerlend]

@@scholagladiatoria It's more the Mainz being a slight backwards anachronism than a forwards one. Not by much, but still.

[@mikhailgalinskiy8558]

Excellent video, Matt, thank you very much. Its very nice to see these longer videos with deeper presentation.

[@adwarfsittingonagiantsshoulder]

The eagle headed spatha is really cool ! The must for a trendy roman legionary !

[@MegaSuperpotter]

More on Spatha development please Matt. Great vid, thanks.

[@petrapetrakoliou8979]

Thank you for sharing your great knowledge on weapons! The auxiliaries were more responsible for change in armour and weapons for the legionnaries than any enemies fought: they were friends using very different weapons and which sometimes had to be made by Roman armourers. Also auxiliaries were full of Celts, in particular in the 1st century BC-1st century AD. There were also a lot of Germans, but they used mainly Celtic inspired swords. It is easier to imitate the weapon of a friend than that of a foe.

[@daemonharper3928]

A very interesting subject, well presented.

[@fourgedmushrooms5958]

Great point about handguard! And sheild

[@rowronnie299]

If you hold a Gladius by it's big ball pommel, you can really whip it around in tight circles fast while keeping a solid grip. I've almost always owned one and played with them a lot, learned some tricks. It was probably the best close quarter sword ever. If you could get inside the tip of your opponents weapon, game over! Veni vidi vici!

[@fluppet2350]

Not all of us know how well the Roman’s liked to thrust Matt.

[@anselmdanker9519]

Thank you for sharing your perspective of the use of the gladius and how it reflected its geometry. 😃

[@stormiewutzke4190]

I really enjoyed this one. I would be really interested it the manufacturing methods. This could be a very cool series. I'm currently involved in a very complex move closer to family. My dad has a large supply of old wire and in time I hope to start bronze production. I have been focused primarily on ultra high performance cooking cutlery for awhile but I want to begin producing true replica of historical items in modern steel followed by actual historical styles of make and bloomery steels.

[@vaannebilim]

Everyone misses always to mention that the technique for making these swords mostly came with it's original desing from iberia where there were another type of steel sword called falcata

[@blankistblankophobe9078]

I'm just imagining a bunch of Roman generals, veterans, and Senators taking part in arms trials with a bunch of swordsmiths waiting to hear who's sword design gets the contract.

[@ravensthatflywiththenightm7319]

How did I miss this? Darn you, notifications! ⚔

[@shaidrim]

As meaningless as it is, I agree with your theory about the guard. A round one has less risk to get caught in clothing or the scutum. And I will add, legionaries were soldiers but also workers and had to deal with a lot of daily activities, sometime fully armed. And a round guard is, i think, clearly more comfortable and “safe” to wear all day around

[@choppacast]

Thanks a lot! A video on the evolution of Byzantine swords would be amazing

[@edwardmorriale9358]

I'm glad you specified the period and type of weaopons. This topic predates the Villanovan period. Sword types were varied by class, until the age of the Tarquins. The Tarquins introduce the Greek style phalanx. Likely from the Etruscans and the Greeks. They also used the light infantry tactics and weapons of the Sabines, and Samnites.

[@deplorablecovfefe9489]

I love the practicality of the Gladius, Machete size, easy to wear, good for butchering chickens or chopping wood....

[@edwardbirdsall6580]

Perhaps a video on Byzantine swords from the fall of the west onward?

[@briankrebs7534]

I wonder if History Hit has a preponderance of WWII docs.....

[@casper1581]

Love it! Such a detailed video about an iconic sword. Keep it up!

[@hxoa6581]

I just love these videos and this channel, amazing entertainment and information each time.

[@bellofbelmont]

Wow. That was a LOT of information. Thanks. Jim Bell (Australia)

[@thebadgerman1211]

History hit is amazing I have had it for several years now. I love your channel and I love your work it's extremely interesting and fascinating.

[@erikreber3695]

The Gladius. My favorite. The leaf blade style specifically not the thick pointy style.

[@HarryFlashmanVC]

So, archaeologist here as well..up here on Hadrian's wall, I suspect that the Spatha was more often than not issued to Auxiliaries who were far more likely to encounter the local hairies in small groups rather than in fixed formations. Therefore an onus on swordsmanship in 1 on 1 2 on 1 etc type secnarios whereas your Legion was a weapon jn its own right, a fighting system which as you say, relies on a shield and a formation of disciplined soldiers. Having also been involved in HEMA, I didnt enjoy going up against a celtic longsword 1 on 1 with a Spanish Gladius, even with a shield, the lack of reach was a problem..the moment you can lock yourself into a line, however, there is an overwhelming advantage. The hairies probably thought the Romans were cheats and girl's blouses, certainly, contemporary accounts put a lot of onus on the swordsmanship of your average Brigante/Caledonian etc.. If I were escourting a paychest up to Housteads with 20 other auxiliaries, I would rather have a spear, a spata, maille and a practical oval shield, which wont get its corners caught on bracken etc, than a rectangular scutum, a short sword and some gurly javelins... unless there were several thousand like me!

[@SiqueScarface]

As far as I know, steel is defined as an iron and carbon based alloy, which is malleable. That's diifferent for instance with cast iron, which does not get soft until it melts, will not deform, but break, and thus can not be forged. Steel also can be hardened, which makes it different from wrought iron, which can not be hardened.

[@davidkilby1043]

Love videos like this

[@gi1dor]

Thanks a lot Matt, as usual great content, so many great details and of course context, haha Would be great to continue this format of videos about different types of weapons or armor, maybe falchions could be a good topic

[@AugustusTraianus]

Thank you for the video and your analysis, it's great. However, I believe that Roman shields from the 1st and 2nd century AD (the scutum) are not necessarily heavy. From the book "Roman Shields" by Hilary and John Travis, their thickness was between 5 and 7mm (based on what is believed to be surviving examples from Masada in Israel). And having reconstructed an oval one myself based on this book's description, I think that they weighted between 3 and 4kg (wooden planks, covered with fabric and then leather). Also, after recently re reading Vegetius' De Re Militari, I concluded that the Romans might have used their swords more in a grappling manner, striking the sides of the opponent like a hook, the blade of the sword standing in front and crossing the body of soldier in a guard position.

[@TheOneAndOnlySame]

About the wider part: it's not so much that it has mass (it does), but the fact that it limits the contact area during the chop compared to a straight edge (it'll go deeper into the material for comparatively less edge engaged) . Therefore cutting more aggressively .

[@noelthorley3248]

That picture of you in the thumbnail for this video, looks like one of the guards from the Biggus Dickus scene from life of Brian.

[@cal2127]

seems like a longer thinner tip would be easier to blunt or snap. where the shorter more angular pompei would be a little more sturdy

[@Sirsethtaggart3505]

How weird ... I've just purchased a "spartha" ,( it's not), from Blades UK and I just can't put it down. It's become my goto short sword.... great to hear the history behind it. Thanks.

[@dukefanshawe6815]

I've been wondering about this. Thanks!

[@antoniotorcoli702]

Excellent video. A small correction: before the adoption of gladius hispaniensis the roman army used indeed a xifos like sword but, according to archaeological findings ,also the La Tene III B sword

[@johntillman6068]

Spatula: little sword. Espada: Spanish for sword. Spade: ultimately from Greek for paddle or blade, via Germanic languages.

[@CDKohmy]

I'd be interested in why the sword became higher status following Rome, and address Germanic war knives. Also, you mentioned hunting, did Romans carry gladii or spathae in a civillian context?

[@ObsydianShade]

Probably the Pugio in a civilian context.

[@hjorturerlend]

Probably due them being made by smaller family bladesmith's shops rather than being pumped out by large Roman, Greek or Carthaginian factories employing dozens or even hundreds of (sometimes enslaved) smiths.

[@simonolsen9995]

I was hoping Matt would cover the Strangeways Gladiolus, as made famous by Morrisey Maximus circa 1980 something BC.

[@armorvestrus4119]

I think the decision to use the short sword was a tactical advantage they saw early on and knowing that most people did not know much about fighting they needed a big shield and an easy-to-use sword.

[@riverraven7359]

just a thought on the switch from xiphos to Spanish short sword, the broader blade has two practical applications. one is psychological, when someone panics they will forget their training and start thrashing around wildly, a broader blade makes chopping more effective, secondly the narrow section of a xiphos is prone to snapping if hit hard, if forced to block or parry an enemy strike having a thicker base of the blade would be better. given the way legions were levied having a weapon that both recruits and veterans can handle effectively seems sensible.

[@garyfetrow8324]

Please do the deep dives on the 1st Century BC to 1st Century AD. I’d love to hear about the more intermediate stages that happened in that transition. Also, I’d love a dive into the Pugio of the same era. Seems content on them is scarce and what’s there (that I’ve found) is lacking and say a lot of things like “it was stabby and sharp.”

[@twosheds7105]

Have you seen Imperium Romanum's video about the Pugio? It's a good channel.

[@garyfetrow8324]

@@twosheds7105 I’ve not. Fixing it now 🍻

[@Intranetusa]

Great video. I always find it interesting how the gladius models seems to have gotten shorter from the mid Republican era to the late Republican and then early Imperial era (with the longest/longer gladius types being from the earlier era). Was this due to shorter swords being quicker and more cost effective to make when the state needed to equip a lot of soldiers cheaply and quickly to fight in the massive Roman civil wars and later invasions? Since the equipment of earlier mid Republican soldiers were provided by the soldiers themselevs and were often family herilooms passed down from generation to generation, I assume there was a greater emphasis on quality and better technical specifications.

[@scholagladiatoria]

It is interesting and I don't know a certain answer (if there is a simple answer), BUT, it seems to me tied to the development of the shields. It seems like generally speaking the largest and most curved scutum was more or less used in conjunction with the shortest gladii, while the longer swords were used in general with smaller and flatter shield forms.

[@zoiders]

Length is proportional to the size of the shield. With your very concave shields locked together in a skirmish line you cant draw a long sword back ready to stab through any gap that appears or over the brim of the shield. Your arm just isn't long enough and you are fully inserting your left shoulder into the concave of the shield to brace it. You can however do this quite easily with a shorter sword. As shield tactics evolved and the Romans became more successful on the battle field so swords got shorter to suit. As the Romans became more dominant on the battlefield and expanded the empire the need arose for more men. The fact that the shorter sword became more numerous was incidental.

[@lscibor]

There's not really going to be THAT much difference in cost between sword that has 25 inch blade and the one that has 19 inch, if any. And Peter Johnsson mentioned somewhere that plenty of short Pompei gladii have very elaborate and well made reinforced point, for example, certainly not easy to make. So it's quite likely that sword got shorter because legionnaires or commander preferred them that way, from whatever reason.

[@Intranetusa]

​@@scholagladiatoria Thanks for the response. Sword length being inversely proportion to shield sizes was the case for the late imperial era when the Romans transitioned to longer spathas and smaller shields, but I was under the impression this was not the case for the transition of longer swords to shorter swords from mid Republic to late Republic/early Empire. I read that the mid Republican era scutum (used in conjunction with the longer Gladius Hispaniensis) were larger than the scutum used in the late Republican and early to mid imperial era (used in conjunction with the shorter gladius forms). For example, the historical scutum of Faiyum from the 2nd century BC in the Egyptian town of Kasr el-Harit was 50 inches (4.16 feet) by 25 inches (2 feet). Polybius in The Histories (2nd century BC) describes the mid Republican scutums as [translated] 4 feet by 2.5 feet. In comparison, modern day early-mid imperial reenactment scutums are typically 41.7 inch (3.47 feet) by 19-24 inch (1.58-2 feet) depending on how the width is measured. The historical mid imperial era scutums such as the rectangular scutum of Dura-Europos from the 2nd or 3rd century AD is 41.5 inches (3.46 feet) in length (the width for this scutum has different measurements but also seems to come out shorter than earlier scutums). So based on these examples, both the shield and the sword were larger and longer during the mid Republican era, and both the shield and sword seems to have gotten smaller and shorter by the late Republic to early-mid Empire.

[@Intranetusa]

@zoiders - From what I've read, sword length being inversely proportion to shield sizes was the case for the late imperial era when the Romans transitioned to longer spathas and smaller shields, but not the case for the transition of longer swords to shorter swords from mid Republic to late Republic/early Empire. I read that the mid Republican era scutum (used in conjunction with the longer Gladius Hispaniensis) were larger than the scutum used in the late Republican and early to mid imperial era (used in conjunction with the shorter gladius forms). For example, the historical scutum of Faiyum from the 2nd century BC in the Egyptian town of Kasr el-Harit was 50 inches (4.16 feet) by 25 inches (2 feet). Polybius in The Histories (2nd century BC) describes the mid Republican scutums as [translated] 4 feet by 2.5 feet. In comparison, modern day early-mid imperial reenactment scutums are typically 41.7 inch (3.47 feet) by 19-24 inch (1.58-2 feet) depending on how the width is measured. The historical mid imperial era scutums such as the rectangular scutum of Dura-Europos from the 2nd or 3rd century AD is 41.5 inches (3.46 feet) in length (the width for this scutum has different measurements but also seems to come out shorter than earlier scutums). So based on these examples, both the shield and the sword were larger and longer during the mid Republican era, and both the shield and sword seems to have gotten smaller and shorter by the late Republic to early-mid Empire.

[@MichaelMalxAlexander]

I think you should do a bit about the evolution of germania swords

[@carloparisi9945]

Hi Matt, regarding the oval hilt I have a theory: it covers the thumb and the knuckle of the index finger better than a cross, when the sword is point forward. If I was thrusting around my shield and around other people's shield, I can say I'd run my thumb or outside of the hand into some shield rim, probably my own, 10 times per battle.

[@darwinconcon3745]

I'm doing research for a story on the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest and was curious if you knew the predominant type of issued gladius the Varus legions would have used?

[@bigfatchubbybritboy9445]

At that time circa 9AD etc They'd be using the Mainz Gladius type, it was standard issue for the Roman Army at the time.

[@DrewTrox]

I would think the long tapered tip would make it easier for pulling the sword out after stabbing. Certainly for stabbing into armor.

[@harryluckhurst7023]

I enjoy your content so much. I am blind, yet via your descriptions I really get to see what u describe so well. Could u do any content on the pugio? Great work

[@usnchief1339]

OUTSTANDING!

[@williamarthur4801]

I think you should do a video on Roman or Medieval sword production, just the logistics of supplying a force such as the Roman army is mind boggling.

[@theeddorian]

A discussion of Roman steel making would be fascinating.

[@manchagojohnsonmanchago6367]

Eah there isnt much info on the topic out there but both greejs and roman texts talk about quenching and tempering and quenching mediums ect as well as iron and steel quality. Romans had both laminated damasene blades and monosteel blades,

[@tristanshaw2906]

Very interesting topic! Thank you!

[@user-rm8mk9rw7x]

In Greece today, xiphos could refer to a sword but most commonly refers to a rapier. Spatha on the other hand would refer to any (relatively large) sword, usually with a broader edge, so it could be a longsword or an ottoman kilij. Paramerion is a name that you see refering to one handed curved cavalry swords in byzantine sources but it translates to something like sidearm. Just goes to show how vague the names are.

[@Zacky703]

Theory: what if there were many variations on the gladius, but it was completely regional? What if the people making the gladius to arm the legions were making them in a style familiar to them? Usually making weapons for their kin to fight the local warriors, in order to penetrate the armour and adapt to the enemy’s fighting style, they made the swords in the style they deemed most effective due to their own experience in war? Probably been put forward as a theory before but I felt smart saying it 😂

[@Matt_The_Hugenot]

Exposing the Roman army to a variety of weapons and tactics was one of the undoubted benefits of the auxiliary system. It's highly likely that effective weapons of subject peoples and the empire's neighbours would influence the equipment of the legions.

[@moehoward01]

A look at the manufacture of Roman swords? Goodness gracious, yes!

[@tapioperala3010]

Love these type of videos

[@-RONNIE]

Thanks for the video it was very informative as always ⚔️

[@dlatrexswords]

Spectacular overview Matt! I really appreciate you starting with both the etymological origins as well as the extra cultural origins of each stage of sword’s development. Those Pompeii type with the reinforced tips are really awesome to see. You touched on the robust industry that the Roman’s set up to mass produce gladii, as well as possible reasons for switching off of the Mainz type. In some previous online discussions I have heard convincing arguments that both the switch from Xiphos-style swords as well as the lack of adoption of the other Iberian type swords (Falcata) was due to economics; specifically that their hilt construction was of a more bespoke type, so perhaps the typical gladius hilt was better suited to be produced en mass. I’m curious if that theory has come up in your readings?

[@TheRainblossoms]

I have a 'celtic leaf blade' repro (think of Sting in the LotR movies) which is similar to a gladius in size and weight, however, I can see advantages and shortcomings with this type I have. I do Norse medieval historic combat and I can say that the point of any weapon does definitely affect the range/cut and also the mail/bust attributes for any relatively short, one-handed weapon. There is no "What is better?" argument here on my part. If I were to use the old celtic leaf blade with a much more modern Norse round shield (which I have tried), then my fighting style will change naturally and considerably. But if I had a scutum and a gladius hispaniensis, then I can see that I would be fighting in a totally different manner. But that also will depend on my enemies' equipment, of course. Great video, very informative. Thank you.

[@aaronwilkinson8963]

Maybe regarding the hand guard. If the Gladius is to be used with a shield then you are unlikely to be blocking blows with your sword but with your shield. And in close formation with your comrades shoulder to shoulder. You have a tiny gap between your buddies shield and yours. Your thrusting between the shields do you want your cross guard to get caught.

[@frankharr9466]

I needed that overview. Thank you.

[@taumil3239]

This is great. If you ever read this, I wish you made a video talking about the recent "spear meme", because it's pervasive, and yea we know all weapons have pros and cons, but like, Romans have carved their empire by using "mostly" short swords, but that seems to be ignored by the spear thing.

[@charlottesimonin2551]

Fascinating answers to questions that I would have asked in person. One of the factors that would have shaped the sword design was the shift from an exclusively Roman army to a mixture of Romans and colonial recruits. Eventually "barbarians" were the Roman Army for all practical purposes.

[@CtrlAltRetreat]

At 30:35 that slightly stuttered "usually r- ribbed" I just know was your brain internally reprimanding itself for trying to end that with "for her pleasure"

[@dwaynestomp5462]

This is awesome. I think most people think only of the gladius hispaniensis when Roman swords are mentioned, including myself until recently. Is the large pommel on the gladius weighted as with later Viking swords? That being counterbalanced might be a reason to begin using those, if so.

[@hushpuckena2637]

Excellently done, sir. Might the Byzantines be next?

[@DD-jn1mp]

Gotta love this channel, highlight of my day

[@buffordevans6942]

Beautiful man .

[@richarddelotto2375]

Pompeii vs Mainz sounds... testable. Nice barbecue afterwards too.

[@Snarlacc]

I do feel like a leaf style blade bites into targets easier than a straigt edged blade when you hit at the center of percussion.

[@stefthorman8548]

21:19 i think they switched because the point is more stout, it's common knowledge that an thin point would get stuck and break off when lodged in wood, and is less durable overall. for me i think that the Pompeii gladius is more effective at stabbing wood and breaking shields.

[@roentgen571]

It's funny to see so much analysis of the geometry of all of these blades... Such wide blades with such sharp points would be absolutely devastating stabbing weapons, regardless of the specific model. They'd also cause really horrible cutting/hacking wounds--the thick/wide blade would have a lot of kinetic energy. Being kind of short would not be a terribly big handicap when you're wearing armor, have a huge shield, and are fighting in close formation with similarly equipped buddies.

[@fancymcclean6210]

Fascinating. I always thought the Mainz sword was a more effective armour-piercing sword developed in response to fighting 'civilised' opponents wearing armour, such as the Greeks and Carthaginians. However, the tips were prone to snapping off. When the Romans started to fight 'uncivilised' folk such as the Germanic tribes, a long thrusting tip was not required as typically the Germans did not wear armour and a long-tipped sword was not needed (Pompei type). I have learnt something new. Flaxen Saxon.