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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2006 21:21:06 GMT
The spatha was a cavalry sword. It was much longer the the famous gladius and had a more rounded tip. I believe one was found that was 30 inches long. I was very impressed to find that Romans had such long blades even if if was few. I would not be suprised if it is discovered that the Romans experimented with two hand swords too, but non have survived.
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Post by rammstein on Dec 14, 2006 21:34:28 GMT
The spatha was a truly inovative sword.
Before the invention of the spatha, swords could only be so long before they became unstable and have no thrusting abilities. The celts invented the first steely-iron and were known for their longer swords. It is believed that the romans took this technology and used combined it with their gladius designs.
I DO remember somewhere about a roman two handed sword...Possibly a gladiator weapon, but I'm sure I've heard of one somewhere. too bad I can't remember where.
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Post by rammstein on Dec 14, 2006 21:47:06 GMT
took me a while to find a pictures. Here's one of albion's first generation spathas, the best example I've seen so far.  |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 15, 2006 0:11:25 GMT
Great looking weapon. Good cutting blade.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2007 17:11:42 GMT
I believe that the spatha also was used by infantry in later periods.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2007 20:05:20 GMT
I have not come accross any specific instances of infantry using spathas, but it would not suprise me. The Romans were definetly open to inovation. I also believe that the Germanians used longer swords, and as the Germanians were mixed into the Roman population and armies, it would not be unusual for them to retain some of their custums. By the 4th century Germanic mercinaries hired by Rome looked and fought more and more in their own traditional manor as they were led by Germanians rather then Romans. In earlier centuries the Germanic mecenaries were trained and lead into battle by Romans and fought in the Roman style.
The only problem I see with the use of the Roman Spatha by infanty is that if it breaks, you may not have a back up. If you are on horseback you nomaly carry severl weapons on the horse. Swords of the Roman period would have been harder, less flexible and more brittle. Not a problem for a 22 inch Gladius, but I don't think a 30 inch spatha would have been very durable and reliable. Not a big problem if it breaks while you are in the saddle, but it could mean certain death if it breaks for an infantry man.
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Post by rammstein on Jan 3, 2007 20:55:32 GMT
yes I beleve longer swords were used in the centuries following the pax romana. But roman infantry men carried 2 pilum, 1 gladius (later, a spatha), and a pugio. That seems sufficient. And seeing as they have that ginormous shield, finding a usable weapon isn't of paramount importance. They could last a while behind it and pick up a gladius from a fallen ally. Or the many fallen auxiliaries (who were more widely known to use the spatha, by the way.)
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2007 18:11:50 GMT
just a question, does anyone know what type of weapon was used in the phalanx maneuver?
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Post by rammstein on Jan 4, 2007 18:26:49 GMT
the greeks used the typical spear but during alexander's reign, the 17 ft long sarissa was adopted and proven more effective.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2007 16:19:30 GMT
thats what it was, the sarissa! thanks rammstein, i couldnt remember.
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Post by hankreinhardt on Mar 12, 2007 2:01:56 GMT
I would seriously doubt if the Romans, either Empire or Republic, ever used a two handed sword, would go completely against the military formation. You can't handle a two handed sword and a scutum as well. The spatha came into use as a result of heavy contact with the barbarians, increased use of cavalry, and the introduction of the stirrup. Although the main advantage of the stirrup was to the guy with a lance, the sword would benefit as well. Thats a very attractive sword from Albion. I have one I made from a Raven blade, but the size is more in keeping with the easrly spathas, blade about 25-27 inches. Don't remember off hand. Hank
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Post by rammstein on Mar 12, 2007 2:08:27 GMT
agreed, but don't forget about the auxilliaries. While the legionnaires seem a more than a tad orthodox, the auxilliaries were more flexible to adopt new ideas from cultures due to their diverse units.
The roman two handed sword that I had heard of was used in gladiatorial fights, IIRC.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2007 3:02:50 GMT
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Post by leezoo on May 21, 2007 13:21:37 GMT
I just picked this up at the Museum Replicas warehouse sale last saturday. Origionally they were $235.00 they went on sale in the catalog for $125.00 I got it for $65.00 and it was sharpened already. The only thing wrong was one of the red crystals on one side was missing (big deal!!!). Anways what a fast sword, very light at 1lb 12 ounces very easy to handle, one hand use is a breeze. I will try to take some pictures but here is the MR web page for it. www.museumreplicas.com/webstore/eCat/unique_weapons/fantasy/swords/romano_british_spath.aspx |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2007 6:41:43 GMT
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Post by jpfranco on Jun 12, 2007 22:06:18 GMT
I believe it is the same one. Talking of spatha, I did buy the Gladiator sword of Maximus a while back. It is battle ready and made by Windlass for Factory-x It is one of my favorite sword. It looks awesome, I think.   click on pics to supersize These are now extremely rare. I feel fortunate to own one. |
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