The Spatha: The Roman Long Sword

The Roman long sword, the spatha, was central to the Romans' defense of their empire--this title investigates the origins, development, combat use, and lasting legacy of this feared close-combat weapon.

Adopted from the Celts in the 1st century BC, the spatha, a lethal and formidable chopping blade, became the primary sword of the Roman soldier in the Later Empire. Over the following centuries, the blade, its scabbard, and its system of carriage underwent a series of developments, until by ...