27. The Ancient Romans’ Favorite Weapon
The Roman legionaries’ chief weapon, the gladius sword, was copied from the ancient Celtiberians of Hispania. The Romans first came in contact with the Celtiberians during the early stages of their conquest of Hispania, beginning in the third century BC, and were impressed by the natives’ sword. The gladius hispaniensis, became the Romans’ primary weapon for the next five centuries. The gladius was thus the weapon that gained the Romans their empire, won their greatest victories, pushed their boundaries to their furthest extent, and brought ancient Rome to the zenith of its power.
There was various versions of the gladius, but all gladii shared some common characteristics. They were double-edged straight steel swords, with a blade measuring around two feet in length, tapering into a ‘V-shaped tip. The gladius was used mainly as a close-quarter combat thrusting weapon, although it could be used to cut and slash as well. The handle was usually ridged for the user’s fingers or knobbed for a solid grip. A significant feature distinguishing the gladius, as well as its descendants into the early and intermediate Middle Ages, was the absence of a cross guard.