Why wear the sword on the right?

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

I think it is either Polibius or Tacitus who describes the method, Demetrius.

Also the fear the gladius inspired in the Greeks when seeing that severed limbs and other body-bits resulting in the gladius hispaniensis' type used against them.

[M. Demetrius]

That seems clear enough evidence that while thrusting to the abdomen and/or ribs seems obviously the quicker stroke, that slicing, hacking and other attacks were common enough that people knew about them.

I just can't see the Romans bound to some silly "rules of engagement" restrictions. (... and no groin attacks unless they do that first, and then only to the person who is actually seen attacking groins. Other attacks that are not considered appropriate and may result in future punishment or imprisonment for Legionaries are....)

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

That seems clear enough evidence that while thrusting to the abdomen and/or ribs seems obviously the quicker stroke, that slicing, hacking and other attacks were common enough that people knew about them.

Pretty well documented,I would agree!

I just can't see the Romans bound to some silly "rules of engagement" restrictions. (... and no groin attacks unless they do that first, and then only to the person who is actually seen attacking groins. Other attacks that are not considered appropriate and may result in future punishment or imprisonment for Legionaries are....)

Eh? hock: hock: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Throwing more than one pilum per battle wil be punishable by....

Yeah, right! :lol:

[M. Demetrius]

...and no stabbing in the back. If the enemy has turned around and is fleeing, he is no longer a threat. Attacks of this sort will be dealt with by the magistrates as in the various degrees of assault with a deadly weapon and....

[Casmin]

Wouldn't an entirely sharpened blade facilitate better stabbing ability?

[Aetius Helvius Merula]

...and no stabbing in the back. If the enemy has turned around and is fleeing, he is no longer a threat. Attacks of this sort will be dealt with by the magistrates as in the various degrees of assault with a deadly weapon and....

......punished by mandatory ditch digging every night. Thank you for marching with the legions. Your service is very important to us. Your actions may be monitored for quality assurance purposes. Have a nice day! :lol: :lol:

Nah, I see their combat M.O. as 'kill the bastards, but don't take unneseccsary chances'. Meaning, stay behind your shield and use quick thrusts, unless you get the chance to hamstring him or something like that. Romans are nothing if not practical, right? :lol:

[Crispvs]

For what it's worth, here is a picture of an unusual sword from Mainz, which seems much better for slashing than stabbing.



And here is a soldier on one of the Adamklissi metopes using a similar sword to slash.

http://museums.ncl.ac.uk/archive/arma/c ... tope20.htm

Crispvs

[Virilis]

For what it's worth, here is a picture of an unusual sword from Mainz, which seems much better for slashing than stabbing.

In my opinion this looks like a perfect weapon for STABBING, not slashing!? The needle-like point would be very fragile when slashing and the point would be also inefficient for slashing due to it`s low weight behind it...

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

I would agre with Virilus, as my Mainze is better weighted for slashing.
But then the technique of slashing the back on the enemies legs is not reallyu weight dependant, so all that is required is the sharpe edge.
But the waisted blade of a mainz lends itself perfectly to that technique, as well as being a great stabbing sword.IMHO

[Dean Cunningham metalsmim]

Sean of Legio IX HIP got our group into doing a western style (gunfighter) draw off. Tons of fun and shows how fast you can draw a sword on your right hip in a very small amount of room. Fun stuff, until someone looses an eye.