Newsgroups: rec.org.sca

>/ hpkslx:rec.org.sca / sjb@fc.hp.com (Stuart Bobb) /  9:40 am  Nov 16, 1992 /
>This may not be the right news group for this question, but I suspect it is a
>good place to start.
>
>I'm trying to get a realistic picture about the value and the importance a
>sharp, two-edged sword might have had in Roman times, time period of around
>110 A.D.  No, this isn't an FRP type question, I really have an interest in
>the historical facts (not opinions!)  surrounding such a weapon.

I'll take a stab at this (pun intended :-)}.  From my reading, admittedly
quite a while ago, and the replicas I have handled, the sword you are
probably asking about is the Roman military sword.  The two types which
spring to mind are the "leaf"shaped and triangular bladed swords, both
short, in the 24" range.  The intended use was in the  phalanx formation
for which the Romans are so famous.  The short length made it practical
to swing in formation (think about it - would you want *your* shieldmate
to swing a long blade?  It could be more of a danger than the enemy!)
whole holding a shield.  The double edged design allowed it to be effective
on the backswing.  The triangular replicas I have held are weighted to
balance near the base of the blade.  I seem to remember that it was used
against mostly unarmored opponents, and didn't need too much weight out
at the tip.  The "leaf"shaped blade had more weight near the tip and was
a later development as different opponents were faced (again, this is from
memory...  your mileage will vary, and I'm *sure* someone will correct me
if I have erred!).

>
>Some questions:
>
>I get the idea that during that time period, any sharp sword was probably a
>tall order to manufacture and that making a good two-edged sharp sword was
>probably a very tall order.  True?  False?

I think that swordsmithing was rather well developed during the Roman 
Empire.  So false.  (A serviceable sword can be made out of wood.  A
firehardened edge can be quite sharp!  It wouldn't last, but then it is
easily reshorpened.  A sharp metal blade would be relatively easy.   
Toughness is a whole other issue, though bronze (again, the memory supplies
this a the materialof choice for the era) is in many ways superior to
iron.).  I think the blades of the period were prone to frequent breakage.

>
>What kind of personage would even command (be allowed to have) such a weapon:
>	Any lowly soldier (seems almost certainly not)
>	A centurion? (maybe?)
>	Who?
>

The Roman Empire was wealthy, and it's soldiers were very well equiped
and an elite.  After all, a sword in the hand of a soldier generated 
quite a bit of wealth, so it was a good business investment, along
with roads...

>What would be the economic value of such a weapon?
>	A few days pay for a soldier?  (Not likely!)
>	A years earnings of a prince (sounds too high!)
>	How much in terms that are comparable to today?
>
>Is there some special tactical effectiveness of such a weapon?  It seems like
>that being two-edged it might stab/impale much deeper/better than a normal
>sword, but I don't really know.

Again, the backswing is very important when in formation.

>
>I should maybe clarify what I mean by imagery.  If I say that somebody was
>firing a .44 magnum hand-gun loaded with hollow-points, that conveys a lot of
>things that many people today could immediately relate to.  So does the
>phrase "spraying an Uzi into a room".

For imagery, try the many historical fiction books dealing with the period.
You will get all the imagery you want.

>
>attached to wielding a sharp, two-edged sword in the 110 A.D. time period.
>
>If I'm totally in the wrong group, my apology, please direct me to where I am
>most likely to get an historically accurate answer.  Thanks.
>
>Stuart Bobb
>sjb@fc.hp.com
>----------

The information is probably worth what you paid for it!

David Seghers (seghers@hpcc01.HP.COM) 415-691-3730

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Solipsist Society, Founding Member  (I think, therefore you are.)

Charter member of the "I HATE vi!" Club.
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The statements and opinions above are my own, entirely my own, and no one
else's.
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