Gladius is a Latin term meaning " Spear," but literally, in its widest sense, it signifies the large sword of Ancient Roman warriors. Early medieval Roman swords, also called Xiphe, were roughly similar to those of the Greeks. Both used a blade that was constructed from a single piece of metal (at least one edge blade and one edge bladed). The main difference between the two was that Greek swords had an oblong cross-section, while Roman swords had a more distinct hourglass shape.
About Roman Sword
The Roman sword's most distinguishing feature is its grip, which was hinged at the butt of the blade above the hilt. In addition, the V-shaped recess in the left pommel contained grooves designed to ease the draw of the blade. Unlike the Greek pommel, a Roman scabbard did not have a hinge but rather had a simple and straight line opening. This design meant that all four corners of the sheath could be accessed for storage or decoration, as well as for mounting the sword on a belt. This design also dictated that the sword could be carried with one hand free instead of the Greek double-bladed weapon, which required both hands to wield.
The weapon's blade was crafted from either steel or carbon. Carbon was a cheaper option than steel but proved to be weaker than the latter metal. Carbonated steel, sometimes called "carbon steel" by historians, was favored because it retained much of the properties of carbon that made it useful as a metal for swords.
One of the most important features of an authentic Roman sword is the stamping of the blade with symbols or images from the ancient Roman religion. Two of the most popular designs include the Pax Romana (the Roman Shield) and the Tripartite (three crowns). The two symbols most often found on Roman swords are the lion (a symbol of supremacy) and the eagle (which was known as the Roman eagle or flyer). These may seem fairly obvious, but some collectors have found symbols such as the Roman eagle (which is thought to have been used by Roman legionnaires in the middle ages) or the evergreen pine tree (a sacred tree to the Romans) to be extremely valuable.
The hilt of the sword also has a major role in determining its value. The hilt, or guard, consists of a metal frame that stretches from the grip to the top of the blade. On the inside of this frame is the sword's grip. The guard is reinforced with a leather belt sheath or chain, securing the sword in its place during extended fights.
Some of the most valued early medieval swords are those forged by the ancients in the 2nd century BC. One of these swords, the gladius, was found incomplete, stately style at the famous archaeological site of Herculaneum. The sword had a deep, curved crescent blade and was long - perhaps around three feet long when it was complete. The gladius probably traveled to Italy around the year 452. Other swords of similar design have been discovered in various archaeological sites all over the Mediterranean area.
In general, the main features of a Mainz gladius include a flat blade and a tapered, curvy pommel. The handle of the Mainz gladius can be typed either flat or convex, allowing for a comfortable grip. Most of these swords have a sheath that attaches to the handle or to a steel clip. Some models include a cross-guard or a tip guard. The cross-guard is designed to protect the neck of the sword. If you buy Gladiator Sword & Roman Sword you can visit Battling Blades for more information.
Final Point
The main difference between a Mainz gladius and a modern replica is the guard. A Mainz dahu is much shorter than a Mainz gladius due to the short blade length and larger guard. A Mainz gladius may also incorporate a decorative sheath which is usually crafted from metal and wood. The length of the blade and its thickness are critical factors when choosing a Mainz dahu. When shopping online for your Mainz dahu or any other sword, be sure to measure your blade length before comparing the product to other products. If you do not purchase a long enough or thick enough blade, you may not be able to use your Mainz dahu effectively and may end up wanting to replace it.
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