Swords Through the Centuries
The Gladius
history
The "gladius" (Latin for sword) was the primary edged weapon of the Roman legionary. Every soldier in the heavy infantry was also equipped with two javelins and a dagger, but these were only considered sidearms. Roman soldiers were renowned for their proficiency with the short sword and their battle strategies focused on engaging the enemy in sword combat.
The predominant style of gladius was called the Pompeii Gladius. It was constructed of iron or steel and featured parallel cutting edges with raised ridges and a reinforced triangular tip that tapered to a point. The “capulus” (hilt), was often decorated, especially if it was owned by a high ranking officer. The guard was quite small and had no quillons. The handle was made of wood, bone, or ivory, usually carved with finger grooves, and capped with a large pommel.
The gladius was designed primarily for thrust attacks. The edges were somewhat sharp, but its short length and light weight made it much less effective for slashing. In battle, spears and arrows were used to force the enemy infantry close enough for the legionary to charge in with the gladius. Its small size allowed soldiers to fight together in a tight formation.
MOVIE APPEARANCE
The gladius can be seen throughout the 2000 historical drama epic Gladiator. The sword belonging to General Maximus Decimus Meridius is 30 inches long, with a sphere pommel and half-sphere cross guard. The hilt is decorated with brass roman ornaments and a carved ivory handle. Although the design is quite historically accurate, this sword would technically fall under the category of "spatha" due to its length.
SPOTLIGHT SWORD
Master Cutlery Roman Battle Sword
This Master Cutlery sword is an authentic replica of a Gladius Hispaniensis—the earliest form of the gladius sword, in use from 216 - 20 BC. The full brass hilt and ornate decoration of the pommel, guard, and scabbard identify this as a sword for high-ranking military. Nobility often carried decorative swords with leaf shaped blades, but this one has a pronounced triangular tip meant for battle. Get it here!
The Claymore
HISTORY
“Claymore” comes from the Gaelic word “claidheamh-mór” (great sword). These massive two-handed swords were used periodically throughout all of medieval Europe, but they were most notably the Scottish highlander’s weapon of choice. Highlanders practiced a unique style of combat with the claymore through clan warfare and border skirmishes with English soldiers. The intimidating scale of the blade marked highlanders as fierce and terrifying warriors. The largest claymore on record was called “fuilteach-mhuirt” (bloody murder) and it measured over 2 meters in length.
The claymore was too large for a scabbard, so it had to be carried bare, over the shoulder. The hilt was around 12 inches in length, with a large wheel pommel and a broad guard capped with quatrefoils. The quillons pointed up at a sharp angle, which served to protect the user’s hands as well as catch the opponent’s blade. Claymores had a long “ricasso”—an unsharpened length of blade above the hilt—for a second gripping point. This was used in close quarters combat when there was not enough room to take a full swing.
The claymore was difficult to use in coordinator with a unit, so highlanders rarely fought in tight formation. A full two-handed swing with a claymore was nearly impossible to parry or block. It carried such incredible momentum that it could destroy shields, rip through armour, and break spears. Once an opponent had been knocked off guard, a highlander would change his grip to the ricasso and move in close to finish the job with a quick slash.
MOVIE APPEARANCE
The 1995 biopic Braveheart tells the story of the real Scottish knight Sir William Wallace. Although the film is set in the 13th century, an authentic 15th century claymore was created for the film by sword maker Simon Atherton. The sword is 61 inches long with a tempered, full-tang blade and leather wrapped ricasso. The hilt features a pear-shaped pommel and flat brass quillons. The real William Wallace did not use a sword like this, but something very similar would have be seen in the hands of highlanders several centuries later.
SPOTLIGHT SWORD
Cold Steel Two Handed Great Sword
This great sword made by cold steel is very similar in scale and shape to the claymore used in Braveheart. The long wooden hilt is wrapped in black leather and adorned with a polished steel pommel and guard. The leather wrapped ricasso features a second set of small quillons. At 55 inches, it’s not quite as long as William Wallace’s behemoth blade, but it’s still one of the largest modern swords available. Get it here!
THE RAPIER
HISTORY
The sword commonly recognized as a rapier was first crafted in Spain as an “espada ropera” (dress sword). These swords were not designed for soldieres, but for civilian use in self-defence and duels. As the name suggests, rapiers were often worn as decoration and their construction was as much an art form as a craft. Sword fighting with rapiers was also extremely fashionable and duelling became a sport of pride among Spanish nobleman.
The rapier had a very thin blade, designed for nimble thrust cuts. The edge was only sharpened partway down, leaving a short ricasso which users could wrap their index finger around for better control. A fuller or “blood groove” was formed into the base of the blade to reduce its weight. In the hilt, swordmakers expressed their true artistry with intricate sweeping guards that covered the entire hand. A fat pommel helped to counter-balance the long blade and secure the user’s grip.
Many schools of sword fighting developed with the rapier throughout Spain, Italy, France, England, and Germany. The sword’s balance allowed for an elegant style of one-on-one combat similar to dance in movement. Although duels often ended without death, a thrust attack with the long skewering blade was lethal if it landed. The rapier is one of the swords that led to the development of fencing.
MOVIE APPEARANCE
The rapier is the primary weapon for the swashbuckling hero in the 1998 film The Mask of Zorro. Zorro’s sword is slightly shorter than a standard rapier at just 37 inches. Today it would fall under the category of “small sword”, an evolution of the rapier that became popular in the 17th and 18th century. The leather handle features an elaborately decorated guard with a shell-style cup guard—a popular design among Spanish swords of that era.
SPOTLIGHT SWORD
Cold Steel Shell Swept Hilt Rapier
This Cold Steel sword is an accurate recreation of a Spanish style 16th century rapier. The long slender blade is fully sharpened down the entire edge and a short fuller extends a few inches up from the hilt. The guard is a ribbed cup design with quillons and a knuckle bow for maximum hand protection. The ornate handle is wrapped in black leather and decorative steel coils. Get it here!
