The Gladius - The Roman Short Sword, M.C. Bishop.
Covers an impressive range of topics, including how the gladius entered Roman service after being encountered in Spain, why its combination of a strong stabbing point and two strong cutting edges made it so flexible, the many different ways in which it was constructed, and the contemporary Roman debates about how it should be used in battle, and the impact that would have on Roman formations. An excellent look at one of the key weapons behind the success of the Roman army over such a long period
(Read Full Review)
