So what else do I do with my Pugio

[arklore70]

I was wondering here. I got a real firm idea what to use my gladius and pila for, but what about my pugio.

I fully recognize that it can be used as a tool, used to do myself in should I risk being captured by Gauls, works out as decent back up weapon to my gladius should I lose hock: or drop it evil: but are there any other uses for it?

Were there any combat tactics that said use pugio over gladius like we do in modern times choosing a pistol over a carbine or rifle?

Cheers!!

Mike

[Marcus Mummius]

To assassinate someone . The pugio is very easily concealed under your cloak.

[arklore70]

Ahh Excellent!!

*makes a note, use in case Centurio gets out of line* :twisted:


Justus-just kidding, I swear it

Cheers!!

Mike

[Matt Lukes]

That's a really interesting question Mike- given the training a Legionary was supposed to have gone through in the use of his scutum, pilum and especially his gladius, it does raise the question of whether or not there was any special training for the use of the pugio. They even learned unarmed combat at least in the form of wrestling, so it does seem unlikely that there would be no interest in using the pugio.

As for a specific situation in which the pugio would be the most appropriate weapon, nothing really comes to mind- given that the gladius was already a very close-range weapon. It's not like today where, for example, a shotgun might be considered most desirable for very close-range and a high-powered rifle for long-range.

I'd imagine that if he were to lose hold of his scutum during a battle, drawing the pugio and fighting with two blades might be something to do...

Matt

[Virilis]

Some quick thoughts about pugios...

I don`t think that a pugio was a universal tool in legionary´s kit as claimed somewhere. First of all the shape of the pugio blade is unpractical for sculpting wood or such materials. It is essentially designed for stabbing in my opinion.

Everyone who has worked with a knife knows that efficient length of a blade is your palms width at most. In legionary´s kit there were (at least if I remember right) some kind of all purpose knives for everyday camp-use.

When the battle was over, I can imagine legionaries walking on the battlefield searching for expensive items and putting wounded enemies (perhaps even own comrades??) out of their misery. I think the reality must have been even more cruel and sinister than we think. Could that have been one function of a pugio? Could there be a "Misericordia" element in the nature of pugios? By that time the roman soldiers must have abandoned most of their heavy equipment. Who knows?

Perhaps pugios were carried outside the camp as a sidearm just in case. The roman world outside the army camp wasn`t exactly "a day in the park" either. In addition pugios had some function as a luxury items and had some function as status objects, due to their often lavish and expensive decorations/materials.

Virilis Finlandicus/ Jyrki Halme

[A_Volpe]

I've always seen the Pugio as both a symbolic knife for the soldier as well as a last minute backup weapon. (if the theory is true that the Pugio was as decorated and embellished as the Balteus by the soldier)
...Sort of like the pistol in WW2 - when you're "all alone" in your foxhole, it's a real nice feeling of security and protection.

But, I also seem to recall some comment that when offduty and in Rome itself, a soldier could not wear his Gladius (or armor), but could wear his "uniform" - Caligae, Tunica, Balteus and Pugio. (I'd really like a backing on that theory by the way, if anyone knows what I'm talking about)

So if the soldier did somehow get into trouble, he'd have a great self-defence weapon on-hand, but also let anyone see that he was still a force to be respected.

[hoplite14gr]

Interesting thought Andy.
Many modern armies regulate that even in "red zones" troops not in combat but on security-policing duties wear "lighter" equipment.
So a Roman trooper in Antioch os Sicely or any city not near the border could execute his "police" service with out armor and gladious.
The pugio and a club perhaps would be sufficient for that.
Kind regards
Stefanos

[Marius_Ursus]

A soldier always needs a good utility knife. I'd rather trim rope, shave, and open beans with a pugio than a gladius. :wink:

[Primvs Pavlvs]

Shave with a pugio? Yeah right hock:

[Praefectusclassis]

Well, Tom is cool, you see.

[Marius_Ursus]

Is "cool" Dutch for foolhardy? :lol:

[Praefectusclassis]

It is whatever you like :wink:

[hoplite14gr]

Agree with Marius that a soldier needs a good utility knife but I asure you that shaving with a knife is not a pleasant experience.
I hope that will never have to shave like that again in my life.
Still even a pugio is better than nothing!
Kind regards
Stefanos

[Gaivs Antonivs Satvrninvs]

Salvete.

Now that the question has arisen,
what WOULD a Roman soldier shave with? :?

Pugio rather than gladius?Yep!
Better to lose an earlobe than
the whole head.

Were razors of some kind around?

[Marius_Ursus]

According to the Nijmegen Museum, this is a shaving knife .