C. 100-200 AD. Roman. An iron Pompeii type gladius blade with parallel cutting edges, a triangular tip and a tang. The gladius was a key part of Roman military equipment and were used by the empire’s legionaries in close quarters combat. It is partially thanks to this short sword that Rome was able to control an empire that reached from north-western Europe to the Near East and encompassed all the lands of the Mediterranean. For more information on Roman weaponry in general see Bishop and Coulston 2005, “Roman Military Equipment from the Punic Wars to the Fall of Rome.“ Good condition. Size: L:665mm / W:48mm ; 535g; Provenance: Property of a professional London art expert; obtained from an old British collection formed before 2000.