Why wear the sword on the right?

[Titvs Statilivs Castvs]

Ave Sander,

here are some video-clips from an old thread, featuring the German Group Cohors I Germanorum. They show how easy it is to draw a gladius which is attached at the right side, and how it will look when being integrated in a shield wall.

http://s104.photobucket.com/albums/m199 ... ed2004.flv
http://s104.photobucket.com/albums/m199 ... hjemst.flv
http://s104.photobucket.com/albums/m199 ... lhjems.flv

Straight to the point: you don’t have to move your shield (keep it covering your or in its position in a shield wall), and also won’t hamper your comrade on the left. As Graham Sumner stated in one of his books, the key is how the gladius scabbard is attached (firmly and at the best place for that movement). So drawing even a longer blade will be possible.

I see. Very helpful video's, thanks.