Gladius

The short thrusting sword of the Romans, developed originally in bronze but more effective in the later iron examples. These blades were short yet a little heavy, designed both for thrusting and for cutting in close-in combat. The gladius was modified for horseback into another, longer sword, the spatha , to which medieval swords owe most of their design qualities.

Short thrusting sword of the Romans, developed originally in bronze but more effective in the later iron examples. Designed both for thrusting and for cutting in close-in combat.