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+--- Thread: The bone grip and the battlefield role of the gladius (/showthread.php?tid=1294)
The bone grip and the battlefield role of the gladius - Gregg - 06-23-2004
On an earlier thread in the Re-enactment and Reconstruction forum I was asking members about their reproduction Roman swords, specifically the length of the grip. My research (with what little evidence I have access to) suggests some very interesting possibilities.<br>
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From what I gather, the Romans equipped the gladius with a grip that was generally shorter than we often assume it to have been, and this is reflected in modern recreations of the gladius. My (possibly very incorrect) hypothesis, based on this evidence, is that the Roman gladius was a stabbing weapon first and foremost. Its secondary function as a slashing weapon did not include fencing or sophisticated cutting, but was restricted more to crude chopping.<br>
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There aren’t many good-quality surviving depictions of Roman soldiers using the gladius in combat, certainly too few to be used as overwhelming evidence, but some of those that do survive tend to suggest a close or “tightâ€ÂÂ
The bone grip and the battlefield role of the gladius - hansvl - 06-23-2004
Hi Gregg,<br>
<br>
Very interesting post. Could you give the full reference of the article of Stephen Greep?<br>
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Thanks,<br>
<br>
Hans <p></p><i></i>
Stephen Greep article - Gregg - 06-24-2004
No problem Hans!<br>
<br>
The article is called "Approaches to the study of bone, antler and ivory military equipment."<br>
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It was published in:<br>
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Roman Military Equipment: Proceedings of a seminar held in the department of ancient history and classical archeology at the University of Sheffield, 21st of March 1983. Revised edition. Published as a supplement to ARMA, Newsletter of the Roman Military Equipment Conference. First published 1983, revised edition 1989. Published by M.C. Bishop, 36 Simpson Street, Crookhill, Ryton, Tyne & Wear, NE40 3EP, England.<br>
<br>
Gregg <p></p><i></i>
interesting - Anonymous - 06-24-2004
Sounds like a very sound theory, and I agree I've seen many examples of Gladius sword through photo's and most have a short grip, unlike all the re-enactment ones I've seen.......<br>
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A short grip does help the stabbing theory.<br>
<br>
<p></p><i></i>
Re: interesting - richsc - 06-24-2004
Interestingly, we talked about this a short while ago:<br>
<br>
p200.ezboard.com/fromanar...1097.topic <p>Legio XX <br>
Caupona Asellinae</p><i></i>
Re: interesting - Gashford - 06-29-2004
Although just a quick half related point.<br>
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In our gladiatorial group we meet and swing swords once sometimes twice a week.<br>
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When I initially started I assumed the gladius we had with longer handles would be better, having dabbling in iaijistsu, however it soon became evident as we tried to copy thrusts and cuts demonstrated on the grave stela and other iconography that the shorter tight grips were far superior ...<br>
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Some great points you have raised. <p>Graham Ashford
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