Liberty Biblical Museum
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Roman gladius

Click the photos below to magnify. 
Gladius side 1
Gladius side 2
Gladius close-up view
Gladius with 25cm size reference
Gladius angled view
Replica Gladius

​Artifact: Roman Gladius  
Location Discovered: 
Jerusalem
Date: 1st Century A.D. 
​
Material: Iron
​Blade Length: 15 inches
Total Length Prior to Deterioration: c. 22 inches

This iron Roman gladius was discovered near Jerusalem and dates to the first century A.D. The gladius was a short sword that served as the primary weapon of Roman legionaries for over 700 years, from the fourth century B.C. to the third century A.D. (1). This gladius has deteriorated considerably over the last 2,000 years. It was likely carried by a legionary of Legio X Fretensis, a Roman legion that was stationed in Syria during the time of Christ and the early church.  X Fretensis was one of the legions that destroyed the temple in Jerusalem in 70 A.D. and besieged Masada in 72 A.D. 

Most of the Roman soldiers referenced in the New Testament would have used a gladius similar to this one.  Both edges of the sword were sharpened, allowing a legionary to use the sword as both a thrusting and cutting weapon.  When Paul describes the word of God as the "Sword of the Spirit" in Ephesians 6:17, the image that likely came to his mind was that of a Roman gladius, one of the most recognizable weapons in the world at the time.

Watch the video below to learn more about the Roman gladius.

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(1)  Robert L. O'Connell, Soul of the Sword: An Illustrated History of Weaponry and Warfare from Prehistory to the Present (New York: Free Press, 2002), 87.
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Photo used under Creative Commons from Yair Aronshtam
  • Home
  • About
  • Artifacts
    • Mace Head
    • Axe Head
    • Bronze Sword
    • Spear Head
    • Khopesh
    • Slingshot Projectiles
    • Arrowheads
    • Gladius
    • Roman Shield Mount
  • Upcoming
  • Further Reading
  • Sources
  • Contact