Page 37 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

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◀ GLADIUS R
AND SCABBARD
Date c.15ce
Origin Rome OMAN
Length 22 ⁄2in (57.5cm)
1
This gladius (legionary sword)
and ornate scabbard was probably ▲ PUGIO The legionary’s pugio (dagger) was a backup
presented by the Emperor Tiberius Date 1st century ce weapon if his sword could not be deployed.
to a favored officer. Its decoration Origin Roman Empire It was worn on the left for ordinary soldiers
shows the Emperor dedicating a and frequently had an ornate scabbard inlaid LEGIONAR
victory to his stepfather Augustus. Material Steel with metal or enamel. The object shown here
is a modern replica.

HASTA
Classically
styled “hair”

PILUM Y’S ARMOR AND WEAPONS

Soldiers were
clean-shaven
at this time

Legionary eagle ▲ MASK FOR At military displays, cavalrymen wore
standard in shrine CAVALRY SPORTS ornate helmets with face masks, often
Date 1st century bce– when they took part in mock battles.
1st century ce The mask was attached to the main part
of the helmet with leather straps, and
Origin Nola, Italy
a crest and streamers added to the
Material Bronze impressive appearance.
Regimental ▶ PILUM AND HASTA
brand
Date Late 1st century ce
Origin Roman Empire
Length 6 ⁄2ft (2m)
1
The Roman military pilum
▶ SLING BULLETS Roman armies included lighter- (javelin) was a throwing
Date 3rd–1st centuries bce armed troops, whose weaponry weapon, designed so that
included slings with lead pellets its pointed head would break
Origin Roman Empire
such as these. The legions also off on hitting a target, making
1
Weight 1 ⁄4–2 ⁄4oz (37.5–64.5g) had some heavier artillery that it impossible to hurl back. The
1
Length 1 ⁄4–1 ⁄4in (3.2–4.4cm) shot larger, pointed bolts. hasta (thrusting spear) was a
3
1
more substantial spear, used to
thrust in close-quarter combat.
Waisted The versions shown here are
blade modern replicas.
MAINZ-STYLE BLADE
◀ GLADII Based on a short Spanish sword, the
gladius had a narrow blade with a
Date 1st–3rd centuries ce
long point, making it effective for
Origin Roman Empire stabbing and thrusting. As can be seen
Parallel Weight 25–32oz (700–900g) in the modern replicas pictured here,
cutting edges Length 26–28in (65–70cm) the blade shape evolved from the
POMPEII-STYLE BLADE waisted “Mainz” style to the straight-
edged “Pompeii” type, which then
evolved into the longer, straight-
bladed spatha (slashing sword).