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Post by guitarsword on Aug 31, 2020 15:01:12 GMT
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Post by RufusScorpius on Aug 31, 2020 15:13:49 GMT
As a quick rule of thumb, a gladius will have a wasp waist and a long tapered point with a pronounced round ball for the pommel and be a bit shorter, whereas the spatha has a uniform width with a shallow angled or even rounded tip and a more subdued handle design (speaking in rough generalities). I should also point out that a spatha is a kind of gladius to begin with, but is different enough to get it's own classification. The spatha appeared towards the later part of the Empire when the more well known traditional gladius design started to disappear. It then soldiered on in various forms for another 6-700 years or so. You can see the influence of design in the viking and celtic swords of later centuries.
If I had to call the sword in the picture one or the other, I would label it a spatha. I would also note that the Romans didn't use pattern welded steel. No idea the maker of this example, probably Indian or Philippine manufacture.
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Aug 31, 2020 15:25:09 GMT
The Pompeii type gladius isn't waisted but it would be shorter. On the other side a spatha should be a bit longer than this. The grip isn't really Roman. Look here: www.romancoins.info/MilitaryEquipment-Attack.htmlmyarmoury.com/feature_ironempire.htmlPattern welded damascus isn't right too, folded steel would be ok. To me it looks a bit like a (Pakistani?) damascus "Roman inspired" sword, neither gladius nor spatha, something in the middle. It's heavy probably because they overbuilt the damascus blade to avoid breaking.
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Post by guitarsword on Aug 31, 2020 15:57:16 GMT
Thank y'all. I appreciate the education. The fellow I got it from says he owned it for a little over 20 years and bought it in a "hole in the wall" shop near Sao Paulo, Brazil.
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Post by rhema1313 on Nov 20, 2020 7:21:49 GMT
As a quick rule of thumb, a gladius will have a wasp waist and a long tapered point with a pronounced round ball for the pommel and be a bit shorter, whereas the spatha has a uniform width with a shallow angled or even rounded tip and a more subdued handle design (speaking in rough generalities). I should also point out that a spatha is a kind of gladius to begin with, but is different enough to get it's own classification. The spatha appeared towards the later part of the Empire when the more well known traditional gladius design started to disappear. It then soldiered on in various forms for another 6-700 years or so. You can see the influence of design in the viking and celtic swords of later centuries. If I had to call the sword in the picture one or the other, I would label it a spatha. I would also note that the Romans didn't use pattern welded steel. No idea the maker of this example, probably Indian or Philippine manufacture. Gladius= "Sword." In the later part of BC- 1st Century AD there were three types of the Gladii version of the Roman Swords apart from Spathae or the "Spatha." The Mainz Gladius is the widest of the Gladii averaging from 3"-3.25 art the widest. It is also the longest of the 3 styles. An accurate one will weigh about 2.0 -2.3 lbs. It is a take of the Spanish Hispaniensis which was adopted by the Romans. The Hispaniensis is even longer than the Mainz. These blades are warped, or in other words have a "Waist." The original Mainz was more leaf shaped then the later version which had a straighter edge from the conversion point to the tip. The Second style would be the Fulham. It is a narrower version of the Mainz and slightly shorter and approximately 2.0" - 2.5" wide. Weighs about 1.10Lbs. The Third version would be the "Pompeii." 2' wide, 19-19.5" long and weighs about 1.8lbs. It is the one that has parallel edges with a shorter point from the conversion to the tip. (The one that was purchased by the original writer of this post) is closest to the Pompeii. However, it is far from historically accurate. It should be classified as a "Costume Sword." Something that looks like it could be a Roman sword with many many imperfections. This was most likely made in China or in India. There are many problems that make this non accurate. As far as Spathae... They were originally used in the Cavalry and were longer and narrower. The length was created to be abled to defend from the back of a horse. This is a short commentary. I specialize in the creation of Roman Swords and Scabbards and am known for Historical Accuracy.
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