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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.
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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