Sword, I century AD

[Thersites]

If your work is in the Dakhla Project (nice place, by the way), it is possible that it might be earlier than 1st AD. If it is in Fayum (where I excavated in the eighties!) , also possible. But that pommel could be also early imperial.


Mmm... a typical Republican hispaniensis would be in the range aof 60-70 cm. blade, plus tang and pommel, let's say around 75-85 cm.

Trilobate pommel is also quite typical of republican examples dated to the 2nd-1st centuries BC

An 'hellenistic' era example of [i]Hispaniensis has been published by Guy Stiebel from Jerico.

Hve a look at:
STIEBEL, G.D. (2004) "A Hellenistic gladius from Jericho". E. Netzer, Hasmonean and Herodian palaces at Jericho. Final Reports 1973-1987, vol, II, pp 229-232. Jerusalem.


For the earliest prototypes and evolution:

QUESADA SANZ, F. (1997) "Gladius hispaniensis: an archaeological view from Iberia". M. Feugère (ed.) L'équipement militaire et l'armement de la République. Journal or Roman Military Equipment Studies 8, pp. 251-270.

And (see also tables there)
http://www.celtiberia.net/articulo.asp? ... spaniensis
with:

In general:
CONNOLLY, P. (1997) "Pilum, gladius and Pugio in the Late Republic". M. Feugère (ed.) L'équipement militaire et l'armement de la République. Journal or Roman Military Equipment Studies 8, pp. 41-57

Also there paper by J. Horvat.

Also
ISTENIC, J. (2000) “A late-republican gladius from the river Ljubljanica (Slovenia)".
JRMES Journal or Roman Military Equipment Studies 11, pp. 1-9

See also next post for the pommel

Best Regards


[/i]