Battle Gladius Sword - Mainz Gladius - Short Sword - 18"

Gladius Sword Description The Gladius sword, deriving its name from the Latin word for "sword," was the primary weapon of Ancient Roman foot soldiers. These swords were essential for close combat after soldiers engaged enemies with javelins from a distance. The early Gladius swords bore a resemblance to the Greek xiphos, but by the 3rd century B.C.E., the Romans had adapted their design to incorporate elements from swords used by their adversaries, such as the Celtic Celtiberians and the Spanish Hispania. Notably, the Hispaniensis Gladius, also known as the Spanish Xiphos, became a prominent variation adopted during the Roman conquest of Hispania. As time progressed, the gladius evolved to meet the demands of warfare, eventually giving way to the longer spatha sword in the 3rd century C.E. Despite these changes, all types of gladius swords were effective for both cutting and thrusting. Typically measuring between 22 and 33 inches, most Gladius swords were around 25 inches in length and