The Roman cavalry swordsImage: Cotswold District Council
Posted on 09/18/2023 11:45:50 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
Authorities announced Monday that two incredibly rare Roman cavalry swords were uncovered in the Cotswolds, England, during a metal detectorist rally.
The two Roman cavalry swords were found along with their wooden scabbards and fitments, according to a press release from the Cotswold District Council. There was also a broken copper alloy bowl discovered with the weaponry.
Fitments were discovered by Glenn Manning during a metal detectorist rally in the north of the Cotswolds.
The swords have been appraised by Professor Simon James from Leicester University who says that these weapons are middle imperial Roman swords, which are often referred to as a spatha.
Professor Simon James believes they were in use in the Roman world around the 160s, through the later second century and far into the third century AD.
Their length suggests that they were weapons intended for use on horseback. It was not illegal for civilians to own such weapons and to carry them for travelling because Roman provinces were plagued with banditry...
Only four such swords have been found, according to a video shared by the Cotswold District Council.
“This new discovery shows what an incredibly deep history the Cotswolds has. People famously asked, ‘What have the Romans ever done for us?’” council member Paul Hodgkinson said of the discovery. “Well, they have just given us some amazing examples of weapons used almost 2000 years ago when Cirencester was the second biggest town in Britain. This is truly a remarkable archaeological find and I can’t wait for visitors to see them on display in the years to come.”
(Excerpt) Read more at arkeonews.net ...
The Roman cavalry swordsImage: Cotswold District Council
Those will buff up real good.
Hmmmmmm. I think I saw a movie about that once.
Amazing! I did not know they had common-sense sword control back then.
Why would it be illegal?
The writer is writing for a modern British audience.
Not quite as shinny as I hoped.
Romani ite domum!
They’ll buff right out
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
