Description:

Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A fabulous example of a rare Roman iron sword type known as a semi-spatha, so-called because the size is fairly shorter than the typical Roman spatha. The narrow blade features sharpened edges that gradually taper to an incredibly pointy tip, a gently corseted midsection that facilitated its deft use in skilled hands, and protruding corners that form the shoulder. A shallow midrib courses down both faces of the blade. A slender tang protruding from the back end would have been wrapped with a handle made of bone or ivory meant to increase the soldier's grip while imbuing the weapon with an attractive presentation. Fourth century Roman historian Flavius Vegetius Renatus describes how semi-spatha swords like this example acted as secondary weapons to the larger spatha for soldiers within Roman legions. Size: 25.625" L x 2" W (65.1 cm x 5.1 cm)

Cf. The British Museum, museum number 1851,0806.2

Provenance: ex-estate of Eldert Bontekoe, Pegasi Numismatics, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, acquired before 2000

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#159181

  • Condition: Very slight bending to blade, with minor nicks and encrustations to blade faces and tang, and expected oxidation commensurate with age, otherwise intact and near-choice. Wonderful iron patina throughout.

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October 8, 2020 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

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