Roman Iron Spatha

An ancient Roman iron spatha sword blade with a long parallel edged blade tapering to a rounded point.

Ca. 3rd - 4th century AD.

Length: 31 1/4 in. (79.4 cm).

By the 3rd century AD, the Roman gladius sword had been replaced with the considerably longer and more slender spatha type sword. The spatha was a slashing sword that could be employed by both mounted and infantry troops. It was worn suspended from a baldaric on the left side.

cf.: Bishop & Coulston, Roman Military Equipment from the Punic Wars to the Fall of Rome, (Oxford, 2006), pp. 154-155.

Formerly in the J. S. collection, Pennsylvania.

Inv#: 7531

Guaranteed Authentic

$5,000