Roman Swords

The Romans, known as great engineers and inventors, in addition to influencing the development of many countries, also left their mark of greatness in the world of swords. The Gladius was the typical sword of ancient Rome, used from the 3rd century BCE to the 2nd century CE, and due to its practical and strategic characteristics, it has been considered the best sword ever made. This is where the term "Gladiator" comes from.

Characteristics of the Gladius:

This type of weapon is also known as a "carp's tongue" or "antenna" sword, and was used by Celts and Celtiberians. Roman Gladius swords were very practical for offensive attacks. They were short and light swords, which allowed for an exceptionally quick attack. They were also suitable for slashing, as they were double-edged.

The length of this Roman sword was about 50 cm, although longer versions existed, they rarely exceeded 70 cm. The double-edged blade of the Gladius was straight and wide. The tip of this ancient weapon measured about 5 cm, which allowed only the very end to penetrate the enemy's body, preventing the sword from getting stuck in the body, and consequently, reducing combat speed.

Varieties of the Gladius:

·         Hispaniensis Roman swords, are the oldest version, and were used by the Celtiberians and other tribes during the Punic Wars. Shortly after, this Roman sword was copied and improved by the Romans, who later shortened its blade from 70 to 50 cm, to reduce its weight and thus increase its comfort of use.

·         Mainz is a modified version of the Hispaniensis, which had a blade length of about 50-60 cm. The origin of its name comes from the place where the first swords of this type were found, Mainz, or what is known today as Mainz, Germany. In addition to being shorter than its predecessor, the Mainz blade was narrower in the center.

·         Pompeii is another model of Gladius, perhaps the best known and most typical among Roman swords. It gets its name from the city of Pompeii, where the first canonical examples were found. Its blade is even shorter, usually not exceeding 50 cm. The edges of the blade were straight and the tip short.

In this category, we have prepared a selection of Roman swords, which any history lover would undoubtedly be delighted with. These are weapons made with the best materials, featuring a design faithful to the ancient canons found in history books.