Update on the Spatha and Gladius fighting techniques!

[Tarbicus]

It could be, of course, but there are plenty of later swords with large pommels, so it is not really a distinctive marker, now is it?

But are they almost spherical, or do they have an almost constant diameter all the way round? No matter the orientation of the sword you will always have the hand in a position to rest against it. How about the handgrip having deep grooves which very well suit a pulling action?

I'm not saying I'm right, but I think there's more to the design than just fashion. There are many changes in armour, and there are gladii examples that have smoother handgrips, but these features seem to be a mainstay for a very long period.

A more disc shaped pommel suggests the sword was meant to be manipulated to different orientations far more than a pommel that could tend to get in the way.