Pen is mightier than the sword

fernando · 9th May 2011, 04:56 PM

Hi Jim,
Very interesting and rather wise reasoning on the theme of swords anachronism, as opposed to the period in which 'right swords were used in right hands', a binomial in which the gladius appears to be one of the more charismatic examples.
On the other hand, the climax of the gladius in the hands of Romans was itself an ascension of this sword, as having being copied from other peoples and adapted and regulated to their (Roman) tactical needs.
That's why they candidly called it Gladius Hispaniensis, as having faced it in the hands of Iberians and Celts, when they fought them in the Iberian Peninsula, which they called Hispania.
Actualy it appears that a common Roman practice was, like with the gladius, adopting and improving foreigner weapons.
... Not meaning at all that such practice is a demerit.

9th May 2011, 04:56 PM	#7
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Hi Jim, Very interesting and rather wise reasoning on the theme of swords anachronism, as opposed to the period in which 'right swords were used in right hands', a binomial in which the gladius appears to be one of the more charismatic examples. On the other hand, the climax of the gladius in the hands of Romans was itself an ascension of this sword, as having being copied from other peoples and adapted and regulated to their (Roman) tactical needs. That's why they candidly called it Gladius Hispaniensis, as having faced it in the hands of Iberians and Celts, when they fought them in the Iberian Peninsula, which they called Hispania. Actualy it appears that a common Roman practice was, like with the gladius, adopting and improving foreigner weapons. ... Not meaning at all that such practice is a demerit.