Gladiator (2000 film)

Gladiators (Latin: gladiatōrēs, "swordsmen" or "one who uses a sword," from gladius, "sword") were professional fighters in ancient Rome who fought against each other, wild animals, and condemned criminals, sometimes to the death, for the...

Gladius is a Latin word for shortsword. Early ancient Roman swords were similar to those used by the Greeks. From the 3rd century BC, the Romans adopted swords similar to those used by the Celtiberians and others during the conquest of Hispania. This...

The spatha was a type of straight sword with a long point, measuring between 0.75 and 1 m,[dubious – ] in use throughout 1st millennium Europe and the territory of the Roman Empire until about AD 600. Later swords through about AD 1000 are...

This article is part of the series on: Military of ancient Rome (portal)800 BC–AD...

The sica was a sword in Ancient Rome. It was the weapon of choice used by a Thracian gladiator. It was originally depicted as a curved sword, (see the Zliten mosaic as well as numerous oil lamps) with a blade about 16-18 inches long. The later sica blade (from late in the first century AD) had a sharp,almost 45 degree, bend in it. While early sicas may have been single edged, the later bent sicas were apparently double edged. The distinctive shape was designed to get around the sides of an opponent's shield, and stab or slash them in the back. Since the traex gladiator's usual opponent was the scutum (large shield) carrying myrmillo gladiator, such a weapon as the sica was necessary to make the duel more even and exciting.

Also the sword could be used, in experienced hands, to kill in one hit. With the curve pointed down the tip would often catch on the enemy's helmet. The Thracian could then lurch the sword upward into the jaw and through the face killing them instantaneously.