Comments: softcover, 80 pages, 43 color photos, 5 color and 13 black-and-white illustrations, many including scale bars



ISBN: 978-1-4728-1585-9



Price: $20



Publisher: Osprey

From the publisher: One of the most feared weapons of the ancient world, the gladius was lethal whether on the battlefield and in the arena. Literary sources tell of the terror it inspired, while archaeological evidence of wounds inflicted are testaments to its deadly effect. By pulling together strands of literary, sculptural and archaeological evidence, Bishop creates a narrative of the gladius’ development, exploring the evolution of the weapon as soldiers and gladiators developed their fighting styles. Historical accounts, excavated artifacts, and the results of the latest scientific analyses of the blades reveal the development, technology, training, and use of the gladius hispaniensis, the sword that conquered the Mediterranean.

FSM says: If you ever wondered what to hang around a Roman soldier’s waist, here is a whole book about it. The illustrations with scale bars are especially useful.