Looking for documentation on the wearing of the gladius

[Mark Headlee]

Fraters,

When I was involved in US Civil War reenacting there was a debate on where it was proper to wear your leather gear (traps). It was a sign of a "newbie" to see the leathers worn like a "gun slinger" way down low on the hip. Research and photos from the period show that leathers were worn high on the hip and around the natural waist. Soldiers learned leathers worn high kept them from "flopping" when at a run and took some of the load of a fully loaded cartridge box.

But now I have "advanced" into the world of Roman living history and have a wonder along a similar line, but dealing with the placement of the gladius. Looking at photos of reenactors (knowing most are not a good basis for research or documentation), is there any thought on the wearing of the gladius. I have found pic after pic of reenactors wearing their baltus and gladius al la "gun-slinger"....

I'm not debating the left v. right placement, but I'm looking for grave steles or other monuments that I can use as documentation for the wearing of the gladius. I found one, the stele Caius Valerius Crispus of Legio VIII Augusta. but would like to find others with a clear view of the sword.

Also, have any groups experimented with the drawing of the gladius placed high or low?

Any and all help will be welcome!

[Tarbicus]

I wear my belt as high to my navel as the overhang will allow :wink: on top of the hips. I don't like gunslinging, and I don't think the ancients ever heard of a six-gun. I have the gladius high, and the pugio as tight to the frogs as it will go, which is seen on grave stones (there's even been a discussion as to whether the pugio rings looped over the frogs, but that's a long discussion and there are plenty who don't think so, although I think both options are valid). The top of my gladius pommel is almost level with my nipple. It doesn't hinder the drawing of the sword.

Take a look here and choose 'full length' in the 'style' pull down option.
http://www.romanarmy.com/cms/component/ ... Itemid,94/

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

It is pretty well depicted that the gladius was worn high, in fact the hilt is often portrayed almost under the armpit! hock:
Surprisingly, this does not make it difficult to draw your gladius!
Becomes fairly natural with practice.
The difficult part is putting it back, which can be gotten around too, with the appropriate techniques, as taught by my comillitones! :wink:

I am in the process of making some supports for my belt, to stop it falling offthe bottom of my seg, and doing a good impression of 'Gunslinger' mode :oops:

[arklore70]

I wear my gladius up like Jim describes. It prevents it from getting in the way while running around and what not.

You want the the gear up high and tight so as to not get in your way. The last thing you want in combat is to have all your gear/kit flapping around, catching on stuff, or wedging in between your legs. This happened to me once, and I made the correction.

Just my experience and how I would show a tiro under my command to wear his kit if I were his superior.

Cheers!!

Mike

[rusty myers]

Hike up your traps. Tight to the belt and as high as possible is what I do and recommend. Same reason as Arklore. Stuff banging around grows old even when just marching, not to mention the obvious combat issues.

[Mark Headlee]

Jim,

As per usual compadre you have come through! That link (within the RAT...can't believe I missed that!) is just what I am looking for. Many thanks to all!