AH2003 - Spartacus Sword, (w/Scabbard) [Reenactor Replicas by Deepeeka -- Roman | Swords]
Product Description
The spatha was a type of straight sword with a long point, measuring between 0.75 and 1 m,[dubious – discuss] in use throughout 1st millennium Europe and the territory of the Roman Empire until about 600 CE. Later swords through about 1000 CE are recognizable derivatives, though not spatha.
Of completely unknown origin, the spatha of literature appears in the Roman Empire in the 1st century as a weapon of presumed Germanic auxiliaries[dubious – discuss] (whether infantry or cavalry is not known) and went on from there to become a standard heavy infantry weapon, relegating the gladius to use as a light infantry weapon.[dubious – discuss] There is no evidence that the spatha was used exclusively for slashing. It apparently simply replaced the gladius in the front ranks, giving the infantry more reach in thrusting.
Archaeologically many instances of the spatha have been found in Britain and Germany. It was used extensively by Germanic warriors but whether it came from the Pompeii gladius or the longer Celtic swords or served as a model for the various broadswords and Viking swords of Europe is a highly speculative topic. The spatha remained popular throughout the Migration period. It could have evolved into the knightly sword of the High Middle Ages from about 1100, but the large number of sword types that appeared during the period are difficult to connect for certain. Specific details of their manufacture and the models used by their manufacturers remain chiefly unknown.
Of completely unknown origin, the spatha of literature appears in the Roman Empire in the 1st century as a weapon of presumed Germanic auxiliaries[dubious – discuss] (whether infantry or cavalry is not known) and went on from there to become a standard heavy infantry weapon, relegating the gladius to use as a light infantry weapon.[dubious – discuss] There is no evidence that the spatha was used exclusively for slashing. It apparently simply replaced the gladius in the front ranks, giving the infantry more reach in thrusting.
Archaeologically many instances of the spatha have been found in Britain and Germany. It was used extensively by Germanic warriors but whether it came from the Pompeii gladius or the longer Celtic swords or served as a model for the various broadswords and Viking swords of Europe is a highly speculative topic. The spatha remained popular throughout the Migration period. It could have evolved into the knightly sword of the High Middle Ages from about 1100, but the large number of sword types that appeared during the period are difficult to connect for certain. Specific details of their manufacture and the models used by their manufacturers remain chiefly unknown.
