Lanyards on Gladii?

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

I think this is an issue just begging for some experimental recontruction.

[Magnus]

As Cesar says, it doesn't have to be used compulsorily, but the ranks not at the front could certainly do it.

For sure. That makes the most sense to me as well.

[Magnus]

You know, the only depictions we have of these lanyards in use are Glaidatorial right? Well, if these gladius components are dated to the early republic, that could make a lot of sense since gladiatores were used on more than one occasion to help train legionaries. This could easily be part of something adopted due to this form of training. It may or may not have anything significant to do with combat in ranks, it could have been the troops emulating the gladiatores.

[Tarbicus]

You know, the only depictions we have of these lanyards in use are Glaidatorial right? Well, if these gladius components are dated to the early republic, that could make a lot of sense since gladiatores were used on more than one occasion to help train legionaries. This could easily be part of something adopted due to this form of training. It may or may not have anything significant to do with combat in ranks, it could have been the troops emulating the gladiatores.

Jon Coulston wrote a paper on the very subject of legionaries being influenced by gladiators. The apron was originally worn on the backside by gladiators, IIRC, as an example.

[Magnus]

I wonder if there are any written passages indicating how high in regard legionaries held gladiatores...I know if I was trained by a special unit that I respected I would want to emulate them as well.

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

I recall the gladiators used in the 69 civil war came of rather badly when they came up against the legionairies, but would need to re-read it
to see if there was any extranuous factors which reduced their ability, such as being caught in the water landing off of boats.

[Magnus]

I meant more in terms of training, not combat...it stands to reason they wouldn't do well.

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

The only written references I know of refer to the use of gladiators by certain generals to train their troops,
who obviously were impressed with their abilities before they would do that.
Perhaps they will find a tablet at Vindolanda praising their abilities from a lesser ranking person one day.
Would go nicely with the Gladitorial decorated glassware found there. But that is wishiful thinking!

[Tim Edwards]

There is still much modern debate about the utility of lanyards with modern riot batons.

On one crash course I attended we were told not to use them, due to a risk of the baton getting trapped/snatched and thus also its owner. Contra the instruction we were given:

http://www.armystudyguide.com/content/S ... riot.shtml

...and the fact our batons came supplied with lanyards!
Interesting that experienced instructors gave conflicting direction.


It has been suggested that modern ornamental sword lanyards have developed from earlier lanyards used primarily for cavalry...

[Matt Lukes]

You know, the only depictions we have of these lanyards in use are Glaidatorial right? Well, if these gladius components are dated to the early republic, that could make a lot of sense since gladiatores were used on more than one occasion to help train legionaries.

Well half way down p. 4 Barry posted a picture of a frieze clearly showing the lanyard on a sword that's not gladiatorial, and the components were late Republic to early Imperial- the Pompeii 'soldier's weapon had one of the Magdalensburg-type pommel nuts with 4 rings, so at least the possible hardware that allowed a lanyard existed until at least 79CE.

[Magnus]

True...but there is a myriad # of possibilities as to why it has a lanyard. An old trend, maybe something left out of the historical record where certain legions were still trained by gladiators etc.

[Tarbicus]

Good point, Matt, and worth a reminder...



A representaton of scale armour in the 1st C. BC, too.

I wonder if lanyards were for those soldiers who could also find themselves on horseback? Just a thought.

[Magnus]

Your spatha isn't something you'd want to drop at a full gallop...

[Matt Lukes]

Definitely not- even less-so with a pile of Gauls in your face since you can't just wheel the horse around and gallop away LOL

[sulla felix]

Your spatha isn't something you'd want to drop at a full gallop...

Agreed....just seems odd that these fittings seem to appear on Mainz type swords, not spathae?