04-09-2013, 05:19 PM
I agree that a sword on the left could hinder your defensive movements when in close-order fighting because that's where you are pushing agains your scutum.
But I could add that Severus possibly also added the longer hasta to the regular weapons, because we hear of soldier complaining around that time that their spear (I presume the pilum) are not long enoug to reach their (cavalry) enemy. This meant that the soldier now had a new sidearm, which developed into the main weapon during the 3rd century. Carrying a (long) spear in your right hand all the time could also mean (I think) that a scabbard on that side would be in the way of this spear. The Pilum was throw away at some point, meanung that the gladius was the main sidearm before the 3rd (or at least 4th) century, but with the new scutum we also we the long spear as the main weapon in battle.
Speculation of course, but I think that this may also have been a reason to move the spatha to the left side.
But I could add that Severus possibly also added the longer hasta to the regular weapons, because we hear of soldier complaining around that time that their spear (I presume the pilum) are not long enoug to reach their (cavalry) enemy. This meant that the soldier now had a new sidearm, which developed into the main weapon during the 3rd century. Carrying a (long) spear in your right hand all the time could also mean (I think) that a scabbard on that side would be in the way of this spear. The Pilum was throw away at some point, meanung that the gladius was the main sidearm before the 3rd (or at least 4th) century, but with the new scutum we also we the long spear as the main weapon in battle.
Speculation of course, but I think that this may also have been a reason to move the spatha to the left side.
Robert Vermaat
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
