How to use a Gladius in RL???

**AlexanderSextus** · 06-06-2008, 19:19

I was in Italy for these past two weeks, and i bought a Pompeii Gladius. (didnt get to play EB but i was THERE!!!!) One of the things i wanted to do with it was Bring it to my Kung Fu Class and test it out vs the Chinese swords, but i dont really know how to use it.

I know it was primarily a thrusting weapon, and i know how it was used to thrust, but i'm not familiar with any of the cuts or parrys that were used with it and i was wondewring if anybody knew more about them. I do remember somewhere someone said something about how legionaries were trained to cut with the gladius as well as stab, so i'm guessing somebody on here knows about this.

(p.s. Its not sharp, so dont worry i'm not gonna kill nobody)

Thanx in advance.

**Ibrahim** · 06-06-2008, 19:52

you use it with a scutum/ caetra man-I've not seen any case of a "style" with sword only. just jab and parry with scutum, poke with the Gladius. not much to it....then again, EB might heve found something else

also, aim for the stomach with the sword. also under the armpit or in the neck. the groin is a really painfull spot. but now I'm going Vegetius (5th cent. AD). 2 inches in is all that is needed to kill a man

**QuintusSertorius** · 06-06-2008, 20:06

It wasn't "primarily a thrusting weapon" a gladius hispaniensis was a cut and thrust sword. The edge isn't for show.

You need a shield to use it in a traditional fashion, one of the classic maneuvers was to hit someone with your shield, then stab them in the stomach/chest/groin while they were on the ground.

**AlexanderSextus** · 06-06-2008, 20:11

well how were you supposed to cut with it??? i'm planning on using it with a caetra-style shield, because i think it would be too unfair to my kung fu buddies to use a scutum.

(they wouldnt really have any targets and it woud be too easy for me to win)

**mcantu** · 06-06-2008, 20:17

ask this question over at www.myarmoury.com

**AlexanderSextus** · 06-06-2008, 20:22

GOOD LOOKIN OUT man. I searched everywhere on google for a site like this when i was in italy

**QuintusSertorius** · 06-06-2008, 22:17

Originally Posted by AlexanderSextus

well how were you supposed to cut with it??? i'm planning on using it with a caetra-style shield, because i think it would be too unfair to my kung fu buddies to use a scutum.

(they wouldnt really have any targets and it woud be too easy for me to win)

Same way you cut with anything, swing your arm. What's the problem?