How to use a Gladius in RL???

**Ibrahim** · 06-07-2008, 04:12

hamstringing is indeed effective. but it does not compare to stabbing through the solar plexus

**fenix3279** · 06-07-2008, 18:23

No doubt but you've got to get through the sheild first, granted that your opponent actually knows what he's doing.

**-Praetor-** · 06-07-2008, 21:17

A good movement is to push the opponent with the shield, and while the guy is locked on your shield, cut the tendons behind the knee, which will make the opponent to fall on the ground, ripe for a final hit.

Also, common thrusting hits would be to the belly, neck, face, and not so common but nevertheless possible hits would be to the ribs area (danger of the blade getting stuck in the bones).

And I base the prior on absolutely nothing but common sense.

PS: Oh, and the scutum is absolutely essential.

**Mythra** · 06-10-2008, 13:07

[QUOTE=k_raso;1940815]A good movement is to push the opponent with the shield, and while the guy is locked on your shield, cut the tendons behind the knee, which will make the opponent to fall on the ground, ripe for a final hit. QUOTE]

Kraso right ...The majority of the blows were initially carried on the level of the legs. The shield was slightly raised, the opponent push, then the blow was carried. Thereafter its leave room to your imagination. Trusting or slashing I don’t now but you must note that the techniques of roman combat like those of Greek supposed a combat in formation. Regarding the one on one fighting, those who refer you to the engagements in the arena surely proposed a good track for an answer.

**Philippus Flavius Homovallumus** · 06-10-2008, 13:58

Sorry, yes, I meant horizontal, it was late at night and I was tired. Although, one example of a vertical grip has been found. Mind, shield designs in the Roman Army were a lot more varried than is often thought.

**Ibrahim** · 06-08-2008, 02:49

Originally Posted by defiant3279

No doubt but you've got to get through the sheild first, granted that your opponent actually knows what he's doing.

I know.. that's why sometimes stabbing in the armpit works

but yes, hanstringing is safest, and quickest in knoking all the enemies down to be killed.

**fenix3279** · 06-08-2008, 05:06

Originally Posted by Ibrahim

I know.. that's why sometimes stabbing in the armpit works

but yes, hanstringing is safest, and quickest in knoking all the enemies down to be killed.

Too right mate. Also the neck is a particularly vulnerable spot. Plenty of blood to be lost there without much difficulty. Slash or thrust; it doesn't matter. He's down either way.

**cmacq** · 06-08-2008, 09:40

one quick jab into or at the face and/or neck.

**Poulp'** · 06-08-2008, 09:58

armpits are prize, and so are the inner thighs; it both causes massive blood loss and immobilize your opponent.

**QuintusSertorius** · 06-08-2008, 10:43

Originally Posted by cmacq

one quick jab into or at the face and/or neck.

Except both are small targets, and the face is protected by a lot of bone. Besides which people instinctively flinch when things are thurst at them in that direction. Much harder to move anything at or below your centre of gravity.

**cmacq** · 06-08-2008, 16:09

Right,
that’s why the shield was used to jam the target first, throw it off balance, target stabilized, thrust to face, as the levy to the left and right do likewise. Then use the shield edge against the target to pull out of the face, as the next set of targets step up. Don’t believe me as when it's written about, this is more or less what the ancients say. Apparently they believed the gut or groin thrust could be more easily parried and/or took too long to kill the target. Besides a face thrust makes a statement, it lets the Opfor know the rules of the game have changed and things are about to get ugly.