Gladius from Mainz

[Rado]

This is slightly not in the subject but I think to show it here with the our other club swords.We begin preparing on quality performance of our senior officers:The chief commander Emperor,LEGATUS and PREFECTUS and the implementation of our project "ROMAN OFFICER'S PARAZONIUM" is almost complete .


The top part of the handle -The eagle head- Imitation of ivory .
The eagle head is a creative designed and made by my brother Jordan Kolchev

[Rado]

This is our Imago of imp Claudius destined for our PARAZONIUM. As we are inspired by “The Sword of Tiberius” Dated: around 15 A.D. from Mainz, Germany.
http://imageshack.us/a/img39/9219/et0k.jpg

[PhilusEstilius]

Rado.
I would think that Imargo of Claudius is not correct if it is to be fitted to a sword of Tiberius and it looks to be silvered where it should be gilt bronze for that particular sword.

[Robert]

Well, he did say they were "inspired" by the Tiberius sword, so I suppose this is artistic licence, making a sword to fit the era of a different emperor. One does have to be carefull to fit the correct blade to the scabbard. There are some very nice options for these early gladii.

[Manius Acilius Italicus]

Nice work Rado. I know how much work goes into making these. Maybe that's why I haven't even started my scabbard yet. Keep up the great craftsmanship.

[Rado]

This PARAZONIUM sword was made from us to be use from our senior officers during our club historical reconstructions partisipation . We do not claim that this is an authentic replica of a PARAZONIUM sword.Taking into account that the swords of this type are only a few in the museum collections.
This PARAZONIUM was made free of charge for the needs of our club. We completed urgently so we can use it in our nearly participation in Tomis Ancient Festival 16- 18 august 2013- Constanca Romania

[A_Volpe]

Beautiful work, Rado! Keep it up!

[Rado]

Been a long time since I have not worked on my old project Gladius from Mainz.

Now we completed the new copy of this model.

We've added some new elements that we missed last time.

[Rado]

Of course there is always something to be done to improve on these prototypes.
<img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img22/5341/xe7n.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/><br/>
I have prepared another set of parts for this model and soon we will assemble a new ,better example.. matter of time

[66kbm]

Rado.....the work is amazing. Please keep us all updated on your progress.
Kevin

[Rado]

Gladius from Dubravica
The idea to re-create this gladius came from the publication from the book “ Gladii from Dubravica “ from Miroslav B. Vujovic Belgrade Museum,and that is connected with my favorite Roman Augustan period .Also in relation to the IIII Scythica legion that we recreate here in province SCYTHIA MINOR present Dobrogea Bulgaria .
I made her a few quotes from the book:
https://www.academia.edu/1189962/Gladii_..._of_Serbia

[Rado]

This gladius Mainz model is our third which we reconstruct in our club. Gladius from Dubravica is a typical sword from Augustan period . It is similar to several other identical model of German limis on Danube and Rhine.
The gladii was found in the 50s in the Danube River after dredging operation carried out in the river, near the city Dubravica. The location of the find is located near Viminacium and midway between Singidunum (Belgrade) and Camp Nove (Cezava).

On the plate there is scratched text with a sharp object (most likely a knife) in two rows : ANIVALVC L A IIII . On the frist row was scratched KOMGOMEN to whom this sword belongs to - Anivalus , know as Hanibal. Most likely his owner was from the auxiliary troops. Probably of North African origin.
On the second row section there is a sign of regiment-legion which this solder was a part of : I ( evis) A ( rmatura) Legionis) IIII ( Scythica).
Identical gladii were found in the German limes -Mainz Model gladius and many similar applications from the castrum on the Danube and the Rhine. There are over 10 such as specimens known to the archeology.
This indicates that the IIII Legion and the its auxiliary parts are maneuvering in Moesia Inferior.
The upper applications of Dubravica Gladius.

[Rado]

“Between 6 and 9 CE, IIII Scythica was active in the wars of Tiberius (the future emperor) against the Illyrians and Pannonians on the Middle Danube. Inscriptions dug into the cliffs of the Danube narrows at the Iron Gate (CIL III 1698 add. p. 1024 and No. 13813b; a further copy Année épigr. 1910 No. 176) testify to the execution of a road connection along this Danube section by IIII Scythica and V Macedonica. Obviously the same two legions already formed the occupation force of Moesia in 23 CE (Tac. ann. IV 5) and had already fought under Caecina Severus, who was operating with 5 legions in the army of Tiberius during the large Illyrian rebellion (Vell. II 112, compare above with note page 1235). Also later, during the governments of Caligula and Claudius, IIII Scythica still remained in Moesia. Fighting was not the only activity of the legion. Several rock inscriptions prove the construction of roads and other works of engineering in the Danube area. The newly conquered country needed to be developed. Usually, IIII Scythica joined forces with V Macedonica. “

The two legions IIII Scythica and V Macedonica were located in this period in Viminacium (Kostolac in eastern Serbia),Oescus and Ratiaria Western Bulgaria.
Brackets rings are typical for this Mainz model. These are three gear rings. Those 4 that I use here are made from us from the Archaeology source.

[Rado]

This is a very interesting solution for handle "plugging". Which I successfully recreated (I think). I did my best to resemble almost everything from that handle stopper.

Once we contemplate on the topic for what these rings has been used. We plaited several leather straps ending with tassels. I think that was part of Legionnaires fashion of the time. Tessie straps and tassels give a unique look to this in principle lethal weapon. Do not forget that most likely the gladii owner was from the auxiliary troops. Judging by the name scratched on the scabbard plate.

[Rado]

The lower applications of Dubravica gladius. I tried to do the locking element below to be similar with the original.

Of course I'm not pretending that I'm perfect in my work! However these are swords designed primarily for our club needs .