Salvete, amici!
Ein paar Zitate zum gladius, die zur Klärung der Frage beitragen:
(1) Aus dem Artikel GLADIUS des Kleinen Pauly, Band 2, Sp. 804, betr. den gladius Hispaniensis, der Ende des 3. Jh. v. Chr. im römischen Heer eingeführt wurde:
Der zweischneidige (Diod. 5, 33, 3), spitzige (Cass. Dio 38, 49, 4), nicht wesentlich über 50 cm lange, rund 1500 g schwere (BJ 111, 15) und zum Hieb und Stich geeignete g. [gladius], dessen Schneiden fast nahezu parallel zueinander verlaufen, ...
(2) Bei Seneca (epist. mor. 76, 14) lesen wir:
gladium bonum dices non cui auratus est balteus nec cuius vagina gemmis distinguitur, sed cui et ad secandum subtilis acies est et mucro munimentum omne rupturus
d.h. gut wirst du nicht ein Schwert nennen, das ein vergoldetes Wehrgehenk hat und dessen Scheide mit Gemmen geschmückt ist, sondern nur ein solches, das sowohl eine zum Schneiden feine Schärfe als auch eine Spitze hat, die jeden Panzer durchbrechen kann
(3) Interessant die Ausbildung der Rekruten im Umgang mit dem gladius (Vegetius, epitoma rei militaris, Buch I, Kap. 12):
Originaltext:
Praeterea non caesim sed punctim ferire discebant. Nam caesim pugnantes non solum facile uicere sed etiam derisere Romani. Caesa enim, quouis impetu ueniat, non frequenter interficit, cum et armis uitalia defendantur et ossibus; at contra puncta duas uncias adacta mortalis est; necesse est enim, ut uitalia penetret quicquid inmergitur. Deinde, dum caesa infertur, brachium dextrum latusque nudatur; puncta autem tecto corpore infertur et aduersarium sauciat, antequam uideat. Ideoque ad dimicandum hoc praecipue genere usos constat esse Romanos; dupli autem ponderis illa cratis et claua ideo dabantur, ut, cum uera et leuiora tiro arma sumpsisset, uelut grauiore pondere liberatus securior alacriorque pugnaret.
Übersetzung (Clarke):
NOT TO CUT, BUT TO THRUST WITH THE SWORD
They were likewise taught not to cut but to thrust with their swords. For the Romans not only made a jest of those who fought with the edge of that weapon, but always found them an easy conquest. A stroke with the edges, though made with ever so much force, seldom kills, as the vital parts of the body are defended both by the bones and armor. On the contrary, a stab, though it penetrates but two inches, is generally fatal. Besides in the attitude of striking, it is impossible to avoid exposing the right arm and side; but on the other hand, the body is covered while a thrust is given, and the adversary receives the point before he sees the sword. This was the method of fighting principally used by the Romans, and their reason for exercising recruits with arms of such a weight at first was, that when they came to carry the common ones so much lighter, the greater difference might enable them to act with greater security and alacrity in time of action.
Valete.
