Sword of the Month by Medieval Collectibles

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There are a lot of swords out there. The past ages have given us countless examples to follow when it comes to building blades, and many have histories and stories behind them that most are unaware of. Our solution to that is this - our Sword of the Month newsletter! Designed to educate and inform, this newsletter will give you the run-down on some of history's incredible swords, both factual and fictional. We will give you a close-up of some of the deadliest weapons to grace the battlefield; before we are done you will not only know what the sword looks like, but where it came from, what battles it might have fought in, what the sword can do (in the case of blades from myth and legend), and more! So sit back, sword aficionados, and enjoy some facts about one of the many blades that helped to make history! Sincerely, Medieval Collectibles Today's sword is sometimes considered to be one of the most important in history, and for good reason. The legendary Roman gladius is a well-known weapon. Often featured in fiction and film especially when the courage and skill of historic warriors like Roman Legionaries and gladiators are concerned, the gladius is significant for more than the warriors who wielded it. The evolution of the sword helped to influence the blades of later generations, making the gladius the forerunner of most modern swords as we know them. The word "gladius" is Latin, translating as "sword." It does not refer to a specific type but instead references swords in general; the exclusive reference to Roman swords is a modern definition of the word. The term is generally assumed to be a loanword from the Celtic language, derived from "kladios" or "kladimos," which both mean "sword." Gladiators are named after the sword, as is the gladiolus flower; the former translates as "swordsman" while the latter translates as "little sword," in reference to the flower's sword-shaped petals. Just as "gladius" is a loanword from the Celtic language, so too is the sword based on one of Celtic design. The origin of the gladius lies in the swords encountered during the Roman conquest of the Iberian Peninsula. Descended from the Celtic swords that had spread through Europe, these blades featured leaf-like shapes that were as effective at thrusting as they were at cutting. It is widely believed that the Romans faced these weapons while in Hispania and developed a respect for them. This led to the adoption of the sword by the Roman military sometime during 4th century BC. This adopted sword would become known as the gladius Hispaniensis, the first of four different styles of the Roman gladius. Over time the gladius Hispaniensis would undergo several changes, creating four variations of the gladius. The original was the longest and heaviest gladius with a leaf-shaped blade that was common among Hispanic and Celtic swords. After the Hispaniensis, the Mainz gladius was the first variation to emerge. Similar to the original, the Mainz maintained a leaf-shape while sporting a shorter, wider blade with a more triangular point. The Pompeii gladius was the second variation; the Pompeii was the shortest style of gladius, featuring straight cutting edges and a diminished triangular tip. The Fulham gladius was the final type, seen as a compromise between the deadly Mainz and the popular Pompeii design. The Fulham sported straight cutting edges like the Pompeii and a long point like the Mainz. Wicked efficiency made the gladius a favorite weapon of its time. It was made an official weapon of the Roman army in 107 BC when Consul Gaius Marius made military reforms that required every Legionary be equipped with a gladius, a shield, and two javelins. The sword would continue to serve with distinction in virtually every Roman war and battle for another 300 years. During this time the gladius continued to evolve. Slight changes to the Pompeii gladius would create the spatha, a longer straight-edged sword that came to prominence in the 3rd century AD. The spatha would remain popular after the fall of the Roman Empire and would go on to influence the styles of Migration and Viking Era swords. Unfortunately, the rise of the spatha denotes the fall of the gladius. Used by great generals and glory-seeking gladiators, this sword influenced the tactics and prowess of the Roman military for nearly 900 years. Through its evolution, it influenced swords of later generations. Now that you know a bit about this storied and historic blade, you can add one or two to your collection. Medieval Collectibles offers decorative and functional gladius swords so that you can celebrate and wield this weapon whenever you want. Gladius Swords View All: Roman Gladius Swords Maintz Pattern Gladius View Item Mainz-Fulham Gladius View Item Roman Mainz Sword View Item Roman Pompeii Sword View Item Wooden Roman Gladius Sword View Item Economy Pompeii Gladius Sword View Item Roman Battle Gladius View Item Limited Julius Caesar Roman Gladius View Item Centurion Gladius View Item Help Box Contact Us My Account FAQ's Shipping Info New Items Best Sellers Popular Categories Archery Clothing Fair Accessories LARP Weapons Leather Armour Swords What's New DIY Bow Making Pirate Flags Modern Firearm Replicas Decorative Oriental Swords Humor T-Shirts Knight Statues

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