[ferret_airlift]

The blades. The blades of a gladius was only about 18” long. Note that Roman weapons were only iron, and not steel. Longer iron weapons might break or bend in use.

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"Note that Roman weapons were only iron, and not steel. Longer iron weapons might break or bend in use."

The Romans made and used steel, specifically for their weapons. Their steel isn't considered to be high quality, but they knew how to make it and they did.

[HartleyMBaldwin]

Note that Roman weapons were only iron, and not steel.

The Romans made swords out of steel. Not what we would consider good steel today, but steel. Wikipedia has a pretty good summary of the processes used, under Gladius.

[j.havenfarm]

Correct. They were used primarily as stabbing weapons, not slashing weapons