04-15-2009, 02:17 AM
The ‘Polybian’ text quoted regarding the alleged adoption by the Romans of the “Gladius Hispaniensis”sword is not from Polybius( e.g. c.f. 6,23,6), but a fragment of the Byzantine Suda, compiled in the X C AD. It is considered by some to be consistent with earlier texts of Polybius: "The Celtiberians differ from the others in the preparation of swords (machaira). They have a double-edge cutting edge and effective point. Wherefore the Romans, leaving the swords of their fathers, from the wars of Hannibal changed their swords to that of the Iberians. They also adopted the form, but not the elaborate refinement of iron and other details, which they just imitated "(Suda, Br 96,) Unfortunately, attributing this textual fragment to Polybius is not consistent with Polybius’ own description of the use of Roman cut-and-thrust swords and their qualities versus Gallic ling swords at the battle of Telamon against the Gauls (225 BC, before the start of the second Punic War in 218 BC):
Polybius II.30:
“The Roman shields, it should be added, were far more serviceable for defence and their swords for attack, the Gaulish sword being only good for a cut and not for a thrust. .”
Walbank and others therefore doubted the attribution of the Suda fragment, and instead proposed that the Romans adopted the ‘Iberian sword/Gladius’ during or after the first Punic War from contact with Iberian mercenaries, which would also explain how the Romans adopted the form/design, but not the manufacturing method, since they did not actually go to Spain until the Second Punic War.
Polybius II.30:
“The Roman shields, it should be added, were far more serviceable for defence and their swords for attack, the Gaulish sword being only good for a cut and not for a thrust. .”
Walbank and others therefore doubted the attribution of the Suda fragment, and instead proposed that the Romans adopted the ‘Iberian sword/Gladius’ during or after the first Punic War from contact with Iberian mercenaries, which would also explain how the Romans adopted the form/design, but not the manufacturing method, since they did not actually go to Spain until the Second Punic War.
"dulce et decorum est pro patria mori " - Horace
(It is a sweet and proper thing to die for ones country)
"No son-of-a-bitch ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country" - George C Scott as General George S. Patton
Paul McDonnell-Staff
(It is a sweet and proper thing to die for ones country)
"No son-of-a-bitch ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country" - George C Scott as General George S. Patton
Paul McDonnell-Staff
