Tactics: Employment of the Gladius

[garrelt]

Before we talk here about the Mechanics and use of Gladius it is important to determine what type of weapon with which blade length.

Christian Miks has in his book the following classifications:

Gladii=> Double edged with a blade length from 350 to 550mm
Semispathea=> Double edged with a blade length from 551 to 600mm
Spathea=> Double edged with a blade lengths longer than 600mm
From these classification Pugios and also single edges knives had blade lengths shorter than 350mm

This topic being about the Gladius is then about the 350 to 550mm blade length range.
Which is a useful close combat length.