I haven't learned much about the area to be honest, going to a catholic school (including monks as teachers...) they gave israel a wiiiide berth. Felt like it didn't exist but was a very important place at the same time. We learned what the bible said but no real history. Not that our history teacher could teach in the first place.
But we watched "life of brian" as teaching material, believe it or not. The church also found it offensive even before they saw it but a group of high clergy watched it and gave it their blessing. I think they tell this story on the DVD.
I have to be honest israels history is hard to learn about for me, so much religion, politics and peoples names - I hate learning names of people, in the end I always forget names and need to go looking who this was they are referencing now.
It's interesting though, that the Gladius-like swords were so widespread that time there seemed to be little variation in a given area. I mean, yes Rome owned everyone, but did that mean you needed to use roman gear?
At least in terms of the blade, "Gladius" and "Spatha" like swords can be found in many cultures, it's a wide double edge that was common in many locations:
Supposed to be from China in bronze:
Edit: Also the famous Sword of "GouJian":
Supposed to be Achaemenid dynasty, also in bronze:
Edit: The Assyrians also had some kind of version of both smaller and Larger double edge swords often of Iron:
But Like I mentioned petty "kings" like Antipas in the Roman province of Judea were exiled on the excuse they were storing weapons...and yes it's likely that not every legionary had a Roman made sword...as many were made in the provinces they were stationed for long periods. What was considered "acceptable" for use as standard might vary. IF we Presume the swords recovered near Ein Gedi were made for the Roman Army, they did seem to have a certain SIZE blade, but possibly variances in the pommel, grip, and Guard.
It would make practical sense to concentrate on the size of the blade, that makes it easier to form ranks and know what would be acceptable distance from one another in terms of infantry battle tactics.
If we look at the carving of the Tetriarchs, we see a variation on the Spatha with an Eagle's Head for a Hook pommel , flat Guard, and hand and a half or double handed (Circa 300 A.D, late Roman) :
Major EDIT: Back to Roma !
From Roman villa in Sicily, the pommel appears Pentagonal or Hexagonal, ( double?) guard shape is hard to tell, some kind of exaggerated stylized point (?), yes it's art and not an actual sword example, animal appears to be some kind of Tiger.
( there was a lucrative trade in exotic animals for hunting even up to and including the 300's A.D., [also see Villa Romana / Villa del Casale for that] Sadly have not found too many swords in that palace online, mostly spears and what appear to be iron whips {sword breakers?} with points for hitting slaves and dispatching animals):
Supposedly from Dura Europos, said to be a "Late Republican" Sword, sadly no handle, reinforcing central ridge:
If you Scroll down this page they say " The ring pommel spatha (second from left) harkens back to the 2nd century."
Is this a picture of a Roman ring pommel Spatha??? The site is down, picture from Duckduckgo search...
Here is one ( Roman Ring Pommel...err DAGGER actually) from an auction:
NOW here is something, supposed to have been popular in Roman Germany, but found in England:
"Said to have been found during drainage works at Pevensey in East Sussex, England, in 1940, accompanied by some silver coins of the Emperor Commodus (176-92 AD)."
SO it does appear that ring pommel swords were in circulation in the Roman Empire and their troops...and likely used by at least some soldiers, possibly Auxilia who by the time of the first revolt ( 63-70 C.E.) were stationed far from home, and had a minimum number in the whole the Empire of about 180,000 Auxilia, later by Hadrian's time ( later, during the Second Jewish Revolt)...but who knows.
Not yet counting on dating or attribution ( although it seems an educated guess). During the Second Revolt ( Bar Kochba / Bar Koziba), the Romans may have had up to 120,000 troops in Judea, including some legions and Auxilia from central Europe:
"Following this series of setbacks, Hadrian brought in general Sextus Julius Severus to put down the Bar Kokhba Revolt. In addition, the Romans brought in additional legions such as Legio X Gemina and cohorts of the Legio V Macedonica, Legio XI Claudia, Legio XII Fulminata, Legio IV Flavia Felix, along with 30-50 auxiliary units. It is also possible that the Legio IX Hispana was brought in but was massacred, leading to its apparent sudden disappearance from the historical record. These reinforcements brought the total Roman troop strength to somewhere around 80,000-120,000 men. Simon bar Kokhba now established a secondary headquarters at the city of Herodium. This important fortress was commanded by Yeshua ben Galgula, the second or third in command of the Jewish forces."
The ONLY thing I dispute in this Article is the Building of the Temple to Jupiter on the site of the Israelite Temple. Cassius Dio clearly states the Temple to Jupiter was Rebuilt in it's former place ( most likely the fortress Antonia that was higher up), that was in line with Roman law not allowing anything to be built on the Ophel / City of David ( never inside Aelia Capitolina). Also in line with historical texts and coins ( including Hebrew ones like the Talmud) of Tineius Rufus ( alive at the start of the 2nd revolt) plowing the Temple Mount, and the area laying in ruins even in the time of Emperor Julian...that it ( Temple Mount Site) was never rebuilt with anything under classical Roman Rule. ( Period). Part Legio X stayed in the fortress Antonia from the time of the First revolt, until around 300 C.E.
Legio X behind the walls of Aelia Capitolina that included the fortress Antonia, was the reason Jerusalem was never captured in the second revolt against Rome. This is borne out by Archeology as well, where Legio X finds are such as stamped tiles, etc. have been found in and around the Fortress Antonia ( So called "Temple Mount" of today).
