Historical swords accurately reproduced roman, greek, and. The sword is heavy in the hand but seems to be well balanced and solid. Largest selection of roman items roman replicas reenactment equipment armour shields helms roman and greek helms greek and roman helms from generic to historically accurate. If you are looking for high quality historical swords which are made to a high standard of skill and precision, then our swords of the forge historical swords are worth considering. Covid19 update the shipment backlog from our shut down is pretty much caught up and we are essentially back to business as normal. Not really a weapon of war the parazonium was most likely a sign or rank. Roman sword used in close quarters from behind the shield roman artifacts. This type was infantry only, and mainly used by legionary forces. This curved shape would protect roman soldiers along the front and sides. Without these, the legionaries would simply be walking targets out on the battlefield. Medieval battle ready swords stage combat and reenactments. From the 3rd century bc, however, the romans adopted swords similar to those used by the celtiberians and others during the early.
How warriors and weapons shaped roman history 9780500251829. The shields of the legionary had to be of regulation size, and a soldier could be severely reprimanded if his shield was too large. Swords and shields deserves well over a 5 star rating. These imperial roman gladius swords are inspired by a real roman sword that was excavated from the. By the time i finished reading the last page, i realized i had read a wonderful masterpiece. These imperial roman gladius swords are inspired by a real roman sword that was excavated from the ruins of pompeii.
The rectangular scutum, sometimes with a square shield boss, as seen on traians column and from the excavations of dura europos. Over time the shield became smaller, eventually disappearing as it. The book of swords series is a series of science fiction fantasy novels written by fred saberhagen. This is the reason why roman shields and swords have become vital pieces. The transformation from spear to sword began in the 3rd century bc. Roman military gear and equipment suitable for display or reenactment use. We offer a number of shorter swords mainly used for thrusting as well as a selection of longer wielding swords that needed to. Shields were the oldest form of protection and used to block injury from weapons. For defense they would have steel armor lorica, helmet galea as well as a large shield scutum. Dec 21, 2017 if you are looking forward to buy some classic roman shields in decent and fair prices then the online samurai swords store is the best place for you. If you compare the wars and battles of the past to the ones seen in movies today, you will learn just how deadly and gruesome those events were. In this book, roman military experts john and hilary travis turn their attention to the shields used by the historic roman stalwarts, drawing on their expertise, their.
The gladius the gladius, or hispanic sword as they called it, is the iconic short sword of the roman army. The roman sword is one of the most famous of all weapons. Roman legion infantry along with roman shields, pilums, spears and breastplate or lorica segmentata used it, however it is still the roman sword that we most recognize. The armor of the roman army around 160 bc was mainly comprised of a shield, the scutum, and body armor that varied depending on rank and position, consisting of a breastplate and one greave, on the left leg.
In the roman history, the soldiers had carried a number of shields. Romans charge a gaulic army after throwing a volley of pilum. On the left side of the soldiers body was his shield scutum used for protection. Swordsaxe is the best place to buy all kinds of swords at an amazing price with secure order processing. The roman scutum was constructed in a rectangular and semicylindrical design. Unlike the sword fights of hollywood movies, handtohand fights did not often turn into steelonsteel combats with swords clanging on sword with lunges and parries. This blank roman shield scutum is constructed from poplar wood which is overlaid in linen.
Sword of attila also sword of mars or sword of god, the legendary sword that was wielded by attila the hun. Roman shields were used by legionnaires to deflect ranged weapons like spears and to protect them in close combat. Shields for sale, steel shields, templar shields museum. Medieval battle shields roman shields larp shields. Crocea mors, the sword of julius caesar and later nennius according to the legends presented by geoffrey of monmouth. The shield is rimmed in brass and fitted with a central wooden grip. The most common roman shield was called a scutum, the latin word for shield. Many shields were based on greek aspis or hoplon, which were round and deeply concave like a dish.
Swords of the antiquity and prehistory, both battleready. Roman soldiers or legionaires were well protected by leather and iron armour, helmets and shields, called scuta. The scutum was a large body shield made of plywood covered with leather, making it both strong and flexible. The scutum was a curved oval shield made from two sheets of wood glued together and covered with canvas and leather, usually with a spindle shaped boss along the vertical length of the shield.
It was adopted from the clans and tribes that lived in spain. The roman soldier carried several armaments including a couple spears pilum, dagger pugio and a sword gladius. Also available are functional bucklers, shields from popular movies and medieval display shields made by marto. One thing i hated about this book was the stupidity of the. Order shipments are backed up because of the covid shutdowns, but orders are processing and shipping. Each is stoutly constructed of plywood covered with leather. Roman products arms swords armour shields helms clothing. Complete your costume or collection with our high quality shields. The series spans several decades and features dozens of characters. Swords of the antiquity and prehistory, both battleready and sharp. The books tell a fairly basic fantasy story in which twelve magical swords, forged by the god vulcan, are found and used by various and sundry human beings to various fantasynovel things like storm castles, slay dragons, and the like. Gladius or gladiator swords romans with a straight and wide doubleedged blade.
The sword carried by the roman soldier is the roman gladius. Aug 27, 2018 the romans did not use one type of shield. Shield shapes available include round, medieval kite and heater shields. These wooden oval roman shields are the most elaborate weve ever offered. This sword was known as the gladius hispaniensis, or hispanic sword. The story revolves around the twelve swords of power, which were forged by the gods and given to humanity, and how various characters acquire and use them. Assume about two weeks for in stock orders to ship. Made of heavyduty 16gauge steel, these shields are able to withstand the shock of actual reenactment combat. Early ancient roman swords were similar to those of the greeks, called xiphos. Whether you are looking for wall hanging medieval shields with chains or sca battle ready shields, we have it all. The roman long sword, the spatha, was central to the romans defense of their empirethis title investigates the origins. Mar 1, 2016 books about swords that i have read and use as references for my. Roman and ancient swords a huge selection of roman, greek, celtic period swords from deepeeka 1st century roman pompeii sword this gladius length sword is based on a.
Fascinating ancient history of roman shields ancient pages. We carry medieval swords, japanese sword, anime swords, ninja swords, movie swords, daggers, knives and many more. Largest offer of handmade swords from the bronze age to the roman empire. It was a semicircular shield, designed so that any missiles thrown at the soldier would be deflected to one side. The type of shield carried by the soldiers was determined by their role in the battlefield. Browse below on the different categories to see our complete line of products. These weapons, as experience has shown, do not take kindly to such treatment. If you are looking forward to buy some classic roman shields in decent and fair prices then the online samurai swords store is the best place for you. If the scabbard was a good quality wood instead of plastic and had a better sword steel it would be a better sword and closer representation of the original. The shield could also display symbols as a form of recognition, especially necessary for the medieval knights on the battlefield and in tournaments. From home decoration to liveaction roleplay, armor venue has a shield for wouldbe warrior.
The gladius hispanus was extremely effective in its intended role. Order shipments are backed up because of the covid. Roman military tactics changed over the many centuries that rome was a power. The sword of the roman army reliks swords and knives. We offer several types of historical swords to choose from.
At the height of romes conquests, the roman foot soldier dominated the battlefield with disciplined coordination of the weapons in his arsenalfirst by hurling his thin, irontipped pilum javelin at the enemy and then deciding the issue at close quarters using gladius sword and scutum shield the gladius was a cutandthrust weapon, with a doubleedged, pointed steel blade about 2. Military equipment military diploma roman legionary bricks countermarks of roman legions on coins are shown in the legionary countermark section. Let us take you back to the days of the roman empire. It is said of her that it is the best weapon in short distances. Its one of the finest close quarters weapons ever devised. Its so good its been reinvented at least a half dozen times. Coins making reference to roman legions are to be found in the legionary coin section. Soldiers would position their shields at their sides, while the first row would hold the shields in front of them, and the men in the middle would place their shields. Historical swords accurately reproduced roman, greek. Roman shields were made by gluing several layers of wood together oak, ash, cedar, and alder were. A brass shield boss with mounting hardware is included. We also carry roman shields and a selection of soft but formkeeping larp shields for interactive gaming. Without a shield, a roman soldier is simply a walking target.
The gladius was a short, twosided sword used during the late roman republic and much of the roman empire. The more maneuverable samnites and gauls broke their hoplite phalanx. From the 3rd century bc, however, the romans adopted swords similar to those used by the celtiberians and others during the early part of the conquest of hispania. Their tortoise formation employed the square roman shield, or scutum, with great success. Sep 06, 2010 roman military tactics changed over the many centuries that rome was a power. Roman imperial gladius swords for sale swords direct. Buy roman shields reprint by hilary travis, john robert travis isbn. Now only the best, most experienced men triarii had spears, a. Roman shields medieval collectibles medieval swords.
However from the period of around the 3rd century bc till well into the imperial period you are approximately right about large shields and short swords. Roman products arms swords armour shields helms clothing and. Relive the days of the roman gladiators and roman soldiers with these ancient roman swords, shields, armour, spears, wooden training rudis, tridents and daggers. The romans didnt build the biggest empire in western history by sitting around in togas.
The shapes and styles of roman shields differed according to use and timeframe. This type of wooden roman shield was also used by the roman cavalry and is covered front and back with leather. Roman products kult of athena swords, axes, maces, flails. You have to imagine that battles did not look anything like they do in movies. Body armor of the principes heavy infantry, hastati frontline soldiers, and triarii veterans consisted of only a 20cm square breastplate, called a heart guard pectorale, and one greave. Swords of the antiquity and prehistory, both battleready and. The roman spatha is a sword of greater size than the gladius 70100 cms. Swords of the forge is pleased to offer high quality roman swords of various types for avid collectors or for those seeking weaponry for reenactments and plays. Roman swords, viking swords, greek swords, pirate swords and civil war swords.
Experts say that the shield reveals the way an entire nation fought. Also available are functional bucklers, shields from popular movies and. Why did romans use broad shields with short swords. To what i have seen this sword is a very fancy version of the swords the roman soldiers were issued. Although many kinds of swords were used by the military, gladiators and civilians of the roman empire the best known are the parazonium, the sica, the gladius and the spatha.
975 1250 1335 57 297 950 987 570 771 901 1142 1203 720 753 56 405 1084 180 819 606 521 732 1155 144 1022 1036 928 831 765 1328