The Various Types of Roman Swords

Roman Swords were made from short pointed knifes which were used to penetrate enemies, hopefully in the stomach, this would usually cause death, causing injury to the backs of the knees would injure them during battle.{They were also used to great affect as a short stabbing sword in close combat, especially the Gladius sword.|Another sword, called the Gladius, was also used for stabbing in close quarters combat, and it was very effective.}

Four major classifications of Roman Swords exist: Pompeii, Gladius Hispaniesis, Mainz-Fulham, and Mainz. Every type of Roman Sword is named for the city, where the example was found.

A unique type of Roman Swords were the Gladius Hispaniesis, which can be found in the 3rd Century BC, and were between 74 and 81 cm in length. Because the blades were usually approximately 5 cm wide, they were more similar to a long stiletto.

A military camp which is figured to have develop in Northern Italy in the 13th century BC,were the source for the name of the Mainz Roman Swords. Mainz swords are therefore typically located in Middle and Northern European regions where they originally would have been for sale.

Reports of the Mainz-Fulham sword from the Roman era being found in the Thames River are common all the way until the first A.D. Century. This is an example of a sword that had a blade of varying lengths – 6 cm near the base, 4 cm in the middle, and 7 cm at the point.

And lastly, the Pompeii, which was found on the Island of Pompeii and dates to similar times as the Mainz-Fulham. The Pompeii Roman Swords however were sharpened with cutting blades on both sides, as opposed to just one.

Roman swords were made of metal and have been uncovered in greater number by archaeologists  than metal helmets. Furthermore, the Roman Legions used this for 6 centuries, during this time the Roman armies walked through the Mediterranean and Western Europe, the possibility to find more over time was very good.

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