051 THE GLADIUS: The Roman Short Sword

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One of the most feared weapons in the ancient world, the gladius was lethal on the battlefield and in the arena. Literary sources tell of the terror it inspired, while archaeological evidence of wounds inflicted is testament to its deadly effect.

By pulling together strands of literary, sculptural, and archaeological evidence, M.C. Bishop creates a narrative of the gladius' development, exploring the way in which the shape of the short sword changed as soldiers and gladiators evolved their fighting style. Reveals the development, technology, training and use of the gladius hispaniensis: the sword that conquered the Mediterranean.