Gladius, Legionary Sword

Object/Artifact

Trimontium Museum

Image © National Museums Scotland

Name/Title

Gladius, Legionary Sword

Entry/Object ID

X.FRA 138

Description

Legionary sword - gladius - from the Roman site at Newstead (Trimontium), 80-100 AD. The blade and tang survive, although the sword's edges are imperfect.

Use

Gladius was the primary sword of legionary infantry troops. It was used for stabbing, slashing and thrusting in close combat. The legionary soldier carried this short sword and a pilum (a special kind of throwing spear).

Context

Numerous weapons of various states of preservation were found deliberately buried at Trimontium. Found in the Pit at the Baths.

Collection

National Museums Scotland

Acquisition

Accession

X.FRA 138

Source (if not Accessioned)

National Museums Scotland

Made/Created

Time Period

1st - 2nd century

Ethnography

Cultural Region

Continent

Europe

Culture/Tribe

Romano British, Roman

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Secondary Object Term

Gladius

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Sword

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Edged Weapons

Nomenclature Class

Armaments

Nomenclature Category

Category 05: Tools & Equipment for Science & Technology

Getty AAT

Concept

gladii

Other Names

Name Type

Previous Accesssion Number

Other Name

XII.14.171

Dimensions

Length

19-1/2 in

Length

6-5/8 in

Material

Iron

Color

Black, Brown

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

James Curle

Notes

Excavator

Web Links and URLs

Artefact feature on the Trimontium website, National Museums Scotland object link, Canmore link of Newstead, Artefact page on NMS Scran, "A Frontier Post and its People" James Curle, p.183-184, Pl. XXXIV 11

Provenance

Provenance Detail

1905 - 1911 Excavations

Acquisition Method

Found