GLADITOR SPATHA SWORD (SB819BR) by CHINA
As more Germanic and barbarian tribes entered the Roman army, this longer spatha design replaced the traditional, shorter gladius as the preferred weapon of Rome's soldiers and gladiators. Measuring 39" overall, this gladiator sword is equipped with a 30" mirror polished blade constructed from solid 440 stainless steel. The hilt features a Simulated Bone handle with Roman Coin inlay, ebony wood finished guard and pommel accented with golden leaves, a roman God medallion, and bears the inscription "SPQR" which is an acronym of a Latin phrase Senātus Populusque Rōmānus ("The Senate and People of Rome"). The ornate handle coordinates with the faux leather wrapped wooden sheath which is equipped with functional straps and hardware. Blade is factory semi sharp. Designed for decorative use this sword offers striking historical detail and appeal.
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THE ROMAN SPATHA
The spatha of literature appears in the Roman Empire in the 1st century as a weapon of presumed Germanic auxiliaries and went on from there to become a standard heavy infantry weapon, relegating the gladius to use as a light infantry weapon. The spatha apparently simply replaced the gladius in the front ranks, giving the infantry more reach in thrusting. Eventually under the later Roman Empire the spatha was adopted by many if not most legionaries. The Latin word, spatha, and all its derivatives, are a loan from ancient Greek spatha, any object considered long and flat, such as the blade of an oar, a rib, the shuttle of a loom, a spatula, etc.