A military saying: "If it's dumb, different, or [needlessly] dangerous, don't do it." For a Roman soldier, wearing the gladius on the back would appear to be all three.
@Metatron Your English is impressive. I worked for quite a while with Italian lads from Reggimento San Marco and their English although good still had that specific Italian accent. Your accent actually does not sound too Italian.
You mentioned some celts wearing their swords on their backs. What are you referencing? Also, I think that the size of the shield is not what made them wear swords on the right. Wearing the sword in such a manner, in my opinion, is a convenience that is possible when the sword is short enough to make a right-side draw easy. As you mentioned, it can make some actions smoother and leave the warrior better covered by his shield. EDIT: Something else to consider is that when you wear your sword on the left as a right-handed user, as soon as the sword clears the scabbard you are automatically either in a hanging guard ready to cut or in the first position as seen in Italian rapier and sidesword, ready to ward or thrust.
If you look at the design of the sheath, i beleive it could be shifted if they needed to do something where the sword on the hip would get in the way, such as climbing the wall in a siege. Bad example i know, they likely never did that in combat, but perhaps a good example could be if they were having to climb in order to get somewhere. Im not saying they did it, but they certainly seem to have left it as an option
Romans did engage in siege warfare so they certainly did have to climb siege ladders. There actually was a military award for being the first man over the wall in a siege.
Given that the Romans wore their swords hanging from a baldric as opposed to directly on their belts, if they needed to climb al the legionairy needed to shift the baldric so that the sword is more to his back. Once they're done climbing it's quick enough to shift it forward again and draw the sword.
@@arx3516 yeah, but legionaries were no pushovers. They were expected to march for 20 miles carrying 50 pounds of kit, set up a fortified camp and the wake up and do it the next day. I'm not sure if the ones climbing walls carried their scutum with them anyway.
Hey, would you consider making a video about the armour in The Witcher 3? I recently played it and I realiced, that there are a few designs are quite good, while others are definitely bad.
Most of the regular human armour is petty good; most of the witcher gear is not accurate at all. The most accurate of the witcher gear would probably be the Bear School armour, as it is basically a gambeson with a vest of hard leather overtop. The more I thought about it, the more I thought that the idea of the leather and mail in the witcher armours made sense in that leather's good for repelling heat and cold while mail's durable and flexible. But if that's what they want, they should just wear a mail coat with a leather doublet underneath?
For witcher gear armors, I think "Grandmaster Legendary Griffin armor" is the best one as the most protected, most realistic, & most comfortable (especially for long travel). But for the best overall looking & most sensible armor I think is "Hen Gaidth Armor." It's just both elegant & menacing, also on of the most realistic one I guess. Personally my fav considering the armor itself inspired by Dracula's armor (Bram Stroker's Dracula). Witcher 2 armors actually have one of the most protected & best looking ones. Also, a lot more fitting for a witcher as geralt mostly use a light armor or downright a jacket in the novels.
None of the designs I know of look terribly impractical (certainly not compared to Elder Scrolls or Warcraft), but some do look really weird... Honestly, Witcher 1 had straightforward outfits. The only actual armor was basically just a mail shirt with a leather vest over it.
The thing is most sheaths, etc are designed to be drawn from the hip. To really test the difference you'd need to have a specifically designed sheath for it. Re-sheathing the sword seems to also take extra effort as you can't see the sheath. Shad's scabbard seems like the best solution to that and drawing longer swords from the back. Another point is if you were wearing a weapon on your back you would get used to it so it'd feel more natural and you could draw your weapon faster, etc. The point about the weakspot is great. I'd extend that beyond just the armpit. The arm itself is exposed (with Roman armor, under arm also tends to be less protected) and having your weapon arm getting wounded or disabled.
Metatron. Let's try a scenario. As you know, modern soldiers use a tactical knife that can double as a bayonet. Some US. Marines have started using tomahawks as tactical weapons. This means that in close combat, they have a clear advantage to someone using a knife. There are some tactical gladius on the market. I believe that the piercing ability of the gladius has some potential on the battle field. (although I think warhammers could make a comeback. If would easily make armor inefficient.) Let's think of the logistic of carrying a tactical gladius as a US. Soldier, or an Italian Soldier: - you have a riffle in your hand - You have a Kevlar vest with ammo on your chest - you have your side arm on your hip. where would you fit a gladius? In this case it would make sense to have it on your back.
In the Ancient, Medieval, etc context I agree with you. The modern context makes it a bit more practical and useful IMO, due to different circumstances and technological innovations. I plan to incorporate a gladius into my SHTF gear and will wear it working security if it's practical. I'm thinking a ZT gladius because of the kydex sheathe that is molee compatible and the weapon is great at a bargain while not bothering to adhere to history for history's sake. I'd wear it on the back to keep it out of the way, I have a rifle and pistol and other more primary weapons. My leather shoulder holster covers the armpit gaps in my 3A kevlar all right, and with a Glock21 under one and 2 magazines under the other, I think I have fair protection when. The key idea is to keep the sword from getting in the way of movement and other weapons. I think having the blade only slightly to the dominant hand is best, and the sheathe being firmly fixed is very important. In this video the scabbard was worn loose on the shoulder and you had to use your off hand to hold the scabbard. You suspension system was not designed for that carry mode. Although what I'm planning looks like Blade's carry system, that's not what inspired me. It was the Scholagladiatora video showing the Celtic figurines with their longswords worn down the spine. I think the gladius and sheathe in that location would provide additional protection for the backbone, while also being available for ambidextrous draw. That's an advantage with easily handled one handed weapons, and I plan to have a pistol and ka-bar so that's lots of options to pair with the gladius. You mention shoulder draw is slower than hip draw. The same is true for wearing a pistol on the hip vs shoulder holsters. However, there are many occasions where shoulder holsters make more sense than hip carry, be it IWB, OWB, or duty holster. Driving in a car all day makes shoulder holsters the way to go, and they work better with armor then hip carries, especially IWB.
That lorica segmentata looks really beautiful. Granted, it's one of the prettier styles of armor anyway, but I just felt the need to note that that set looks really well-made.
I never got a notification for this video. It only popped up in my reccomations after watching the latest Shadiversity video. TH-cam is being weird again. Great video btw
If you wore a gladius on the back. Wouldn't it make more sense to have it hanging on your lower back and drawing it perpendicular to your hip rather than over your shoulder?
I was surprised you didn't mention (what to me) was the most obvious reason the legionaries wore their swords on the right hip: being able to draw their swords in close formation. As you pointed out, drawing the sword from the back exposes your armpit, but it also puts your elbow in your fellow legionary's face. And the guy to your left is putting his elbow in yours, etc. Would you be willing to gather your cohort and film an experimental draw in a shield wall? I think it would not only demonstrate why the gladius was worn on the hip, but also further demonstrate why it was worn on the right side.
Another great video! Wearing the armor in different ways really helps determine why the Romans did certain things. It's always about the efficient use of equipment to help the soldier survive and win battles.
If you have a backdraw scabbard it is perfectly valid especially with a shield, maybe not from a roman aspect but the shield will protect you while you draw it, I've done it for years in mock combat after I drop a short spear or a mace. It does work, very well with swords the size of a gladius specifically
Great video Metatron. I always saw the reason behind weapons slung on the back being so prevalent in fiction being that it's a callback to the imagery of soldiers carrying their rifles/muskets that way, and because larger fantasy-styled weapons would be nearly impossible to carry regularly due to the bulk and odd shapes(not that in fantasy they do anything but inexplicably float in place to begin with), and because it gives characters a more interesting silhouette Weapons that are large and unwieldy have seldom been the soldiers' "personal" weapons and thus having been carried constantly, instead being transported separatedly(most kind of polearms and pikes for example), but like you said, some Celts certainly did, and I'm wondering about how common large two handed weapons were during the Roman era apart from the usual Sarissa or a Falx, weapons that WOULD benefit from being carried on the back.
It's funny how "Warriors back carrying" thing apparently comes from historical fact. Squires DID wear big swords on their backs.. So their knight can draw it. After all, at worst cases, squires were just pack mules for a noble man.
Hi. Great video... But if the gladius were inverted at the back? That way is really easy and fast to do it. You'll need somekind of lock or the sword could fall down, but is a great way to carry a sword and be ready to battle.
What if there is a slot running down the front of half of the sheath (just like some fast draw handgun holsters) to make a sword draw more easily? All you would have to do is pull the sword half way up and then raise it out through the slot and forward.
Shad made a good video with a serviceable Scabbard on the back, but yea I don't see the benefit wearing a Gladius on the back, the blade isn't overly long and it wouldn't be an issue drawing it from the side, nor would it be hanging far behind you like a longsword would. Expanding on your points with the weak points in Roman armor, Roman armor also is restrictive for that type of movement and doesn't allow the proper articulation for drawing from the back unlike mail and gambison which allows for full range of moment above the shoulders.
late roman shields were still large but they had their swords on the left, I think its more the shape of the shield then its size (later shields were flatter, thus didn't get in the way.
5:00 well, that's why people say short SWORD, not knife, right? I mean: messer (in portuguese, "facão"), means literaly "big knife", so there is a gap between big knife and short sword.
4:12 This is how I look walking back to my room when mom threatens to beat my ass if I dont let my stupid little brother play on the gameboy advance. 😂
Scouts! ROME DOESN'T NEED SCOUTS! (I myself don't fully believe this, but I've been told most Roman generals wouldn't send scouts out because they lead to dishonourable tactics BUT it makes a nice meme ^^)
Romans were pragmatic, and the legions were expensive. That didn't prevent overconfident knuckleheads from marching into ambush (Teutoburg Forest, anyone?).
i really like the gladius fulham, where can i get a decent (historically correct) one?? , i want it just for my collection, not for practical or reenactment uses
good video, but could you test doing stuff with it on your right hip and then on your back? you dont really have to do it exactly but the moves like digging into the ground, chopping wood, setting up a tent or whatever, as i agree it makes very little sense in any on duty setting, but given its more common then allot of people would prefer that modern soldiers will put their rifles over their backs when doing similar jobs, but still need a firearm on hand (not losing it) in case of a sudden alert.. id like to be proven wrong x3
Ciao Raffaele, so che non è un argomento trattato sul tuo canale ma penso che tu abbia accesso alle conoscenze storiche sul regno delle Due Sicilie e sui Borboni. Potresti prendere in considerazione in futuro qualche video che ripercorra la nostra storia? Sarebbe molto affascinante visto che anche tu come me sei di Palermo :) Un saluto e complimenti per il tuo lavoro e per la tua passione
A gladius is a short sword so there is no need to carry it on your back as it doesn't get in the way when worn on the hip and is easier to draw in that position while leaving your back free for carrying equipment.
Metatron, I’m very satisfied that you’re always passionate about the ancient Romans. However, I would like to make a request and that would be more videos of the ancient Greeks. Does that sound good? I just love how the Romans imitated the Greeks. Would you make more videos of Ancient Greek culture, history, and more?
Why didn't they protect the throat with armour? It doesn't seem like it would be much more trouble. Maybe more expense, but it is quite a vulnerable area. Is there a reason why they didn't?
Could you make a video about Romans that actually trained also in one on one Fights? or can you tell me if they trained also with only the sword? (which I think they did)
Oh dear! This is a silly idea wich Ridley Scott might be using for "Gladiator 2" and by the way: if i had to raise my armpit (to draw the gladius from my back) the legionaires next to me in the line will drop dead instantly
When you talk about the armpit it makes a lot of sense. You dont even have to aim to the heart. There is a major axial artery under each armpit. You only need to make a deep cut and the person will quickly bleed to death. When you think about it, the roman armor leaves every major artery exposed: - The axial arteries under the armpits - the axial arteries between the legs - the jugular.
Have you read Cestus: The Legend of Boxing in the Dark Ages if not I'd recommend reading it it's a manga about a Roman slave fighter who tries to earn his and his teacher freedom
Funny you should mention that. Metatron was a part of a collab some time ago with a few other channels that they actually called the "Medieval Mythbusters." They did a historical analysis of the film "Excalibur", although I don't know if they've done another such project since then.
I have a question for Metatron. I have seen a couple of video sources suggesting that the Romans wore the sword on their right him but with the pommel/grip actually pointing back towards their right side allowing them to draw the sword in a similar manner to an old west gunfighter. Is there any way that you can confirm or debunk this?
Can you make a video about the Cagayan Battles? 40 spaniards really defeated a superior force of ronin? Everywhere that I try to look is biased against the spaniards. What really happened there?
Hello metatron, I have a question to ask; if there were to be an apocalyptic event, e.g. a zombie apocalypse, would you make use of your weapons, suits of armour etc and if so how and which ones? Thanks
Obviously you don't have to wear it on your back all the time. You might carry it this way when marching and then move it to your hip before battle, but when you're not likely to need it, you would carry it so it was out of the way, not so you could draw it in a heartbeat at all times. There's really no need for that. You almost always know beforehand when you might need it, and when you probably won't.
If roman soldiers carried their shield constantly when marching in enemy territories, did it make a difference in their skeletal structure similar to medieval english archers?
When it comes to chainmail what kind of chain mail do you prefer do you like butted chainmail or riveted chainmail? If we were to make chain mail today I think welding the ends would be the best bet no way that's coming apart course the chain mail that is around today is only used to protect you from sharks or couldn't your hand in the meat industry
Julius Caesar had a dagger on his back. Or in his back. And many of them.
NUSensei Hahahaha great.
@@NH-xg1cp For the watch
too soon!
Too soon, brother.
Et tu Nu
A military saying: "If it's dumb, different, or [needlessly] dangerous, don't do it." For a Roman soldier, wearing the gladius on the back would appear to be all three.
omg a back-scabbard video.
This is becoming a sub-genre lol
I guess every historical sword channel has to have at least 3 videos about it.
Next up: ninja and samurai back scabbards! :P
Metatron added his own rosemary flavour to the discussion
Tis the season for back scabbards
@@jorgehanel8837 Shabbard!
I wore a sword on my back 2 months ago, that makes it historically accurate.
Good video.
Technically true.
You're not wrong
4:16 Why does Metatron look angry when acting?
its the helmet and just funny acting/want to act like the camara man/woman is a barbarian
really? looks more like he is about to laugh
That´s his soldier-face.. how do you think people look going into battle??
@@johan.ohgren excited, tense, afraid?
He is acting like a Roman. Stoicism was the mark of a good Roman. Also it would look funny if he were marching around with a silly grin on his face.
Wearing a sword on the back also makes it harder to unscrew the pommel.
It also makes it hard to end them rightly.
Does Gladius have in-screwable pommels?
@Metatron
Your English is impressive. I worked for quite a while with Italian lads from Reggimento San Marco and their English although good still had that specific Italian accent. Your accent actually does not sound too Italian.
Maybe they used swords over their heads like hats 🤔
Man your camerawork and audio work has come a long way. Fantastic!
I am early, better make a joke...
The History Channel!
Want to hear another joke? The European Union!
*WHEEZE*
I've got a better one
France
My favourite was 8:30. He almost laughed at his own bad acting. I appreciate you Metatron, you provide us with great info
You mentioned some celts wearing their swords on their backs. What are you referencing?
Also, I think that the size of the shield is not what made them wear swords on the right. Wearing the sword in such a manner, in my opinion, is a convenience that is possible when the sword is short enough to make a right-side draw easy. As you mentioned, it can make some actions smoother and leave the warrior better covered by his shield. EDIT: Something else to consider is that when you wear your sword on the left as a right-handed user, as soon as the sword clears the scabbard you are automatically either in a hanging guard ready to cut or in the first position as seen in Italian rapier and sidesword, ready to ward or thrust.
A longer sword cannot be drawn easily from the dominant side
Skall did it, Shad did it, now Raf did it
Yaroslav Panych they did it years ago and like one year ago. To think about it really the topic comes up every few months.
@Gabriel Thorp
They just recently (last few weeks) made similar videos.
4:56 AVE CAESAR
GAIUS JULIUS DID NOTHING WRONG
it's not as offensive as you may think.
Caligula Did nothing wrong
Kek, subtle
A couple of senators would disagree though.
And what about you... Brutus?
FAllout Nv legion: ave, True to Caesar.
The rest of legion: (silently pull out knifes).
If you look at the design of the sheath, i beleive it could be shifted if they needed to do something where the sword on the hip would get in the way, such as climbing the wall in a siege. Bad example i know, they likely never did that in combat, but perhaps a good example could be if they were having to climb in order to get somewhere. Im not saying they did it, but they certainly seem to have left it as an option
Romans did engage in siege warfare so they certainly did have to climb siege ladders. There actually was a military award for being the first man over the wall in a siege.
Given that the Romans wore their swords hanging from a baldric as opposed to directly on their belts, if they needed to climb al the legionairy needed to shift the baldric so that the sword is more to his back. Once they're done climbing it's quick enough to shift it forward again and draw the sword.
@@fattiger6957 climbing with armor and scutum would be a little exhausting...
@@arx3516 yeah, but legionaries were no pushovers. They were expected to march for 20 miles carrying 50 pounds of kit, set up a fortified camp and the wake up and do it the next day.
I'm not sure if the ones climbing walls carried their scutum with them anyway.
Hey, would you consider making a video about the armour in The Witcher 3? I recently played it and I realiced, that there are a few designs are quite good, while others are definitely bad.
Most of the regular human armour is petty good; most of the witcher gear is not accurate at all. The most accurate of the witcher gear would probably be the Bear School armour, as it is basically a gambeson with a vest of hard leather overtop.
The more I thought about it, the more I thought that the idea of the leather and mail in the witcher armours made sense in that leather's good for repelling heat and cold while mail's durable and flexible. But if that's what they want, they should just wear a mail coat with a leather doublet underneath?
For witcher gear armors, I think "Grandmaster Legendary Griffin armor" is the best one as the most protected, most realistic, & most comfortable (especially for long travel). But for the best overall looking & most sensible armor I think is "Hen Gaidth Armor." It's just both elegant & menacing, also on of the most realistic one I guess. Personally my fav considering the armor itself inspired by Dracula's armor (Bram Stroker's Dracula).
Witcher 2 armors actually have one of the most protected & best looking ones. Also, a lot more fitting for a witcher as geralt mostly use a light armor or downright a jacket in the novels.
the bear was chain mail and leather poldrens..
@Jason Nicholas the later upgraded Bear School Gear was that. I'm talking about the earlier versions.
None of the designs I know of look terribly impractical (certainly not compared to Elder Scrolls or Warcraft), but some do look really weird...
Honestly, Witcher 1 had straightforward outfits. The only actual armor was basically just a mail shirt with a leather vest over it.
Excellent video as always Metatron!
Man, when he was talking about right or left it felt like a comedy sketch.
The thing is most sheaths, etc are designed to be drawn from the hip. To really test the difference you'd need to have a specifically designed sheath for it. Re-sheathing the sword seems to also take extra effort as you can't see the sheath. Shad's scabbard seems like the best solution to that and drawing longer swords from the back.
Another point is if you were wearing a weapon on your back you would get used to it so it'd feel more natural and you could draw your weapon faster, etc.
The point about the weakspot is great. I'd extend that beyond just the armpit. The arm itself is exposed (with Roman armor, under arm also tends to be less protected) and having your weapon arm getting wounded or disabled.
Metatron. Let's try a scenario.
As you know, modern soldiers use a tactical knife that can double as a bayonet.
Some US. Marines have started using tomahawks as tactical weapons. This means that in close combat, they have a clear advantage to someone using a knife.
There are some tactical gladius on the market. I believe that the piercing ability of the gladius has some potential on the battle field. (although I think warhammers could make a comeback. If would easily make armor inefficient.)
Let's think of the logistic of carrying a tactical gladius as a US. Soldier, or an Italian Soldier:
- you have a riffle in your hand
- You have a Kevlar vest with ammo on your chest
- you have your side arm on your hip.
where would you fit a gladius? In this case it would make sense to have it on your back.
Thanks for another amazing video Metatron keep it up! :D
In the Ancient, Medieval, etc context I agree with you. The modern context makes it a bit more practical and useful IMO, due to different circumstances and technological innovations.
I plan to incorporate a gladius into my SHTF gear and will wear it working security if it's practical. I'm thinking a ZT gladius because of the kydex sheathe that is molee compatible and the weapon is great at a bargain while not bothering to adhere to history for history's sake. I'd wear it on the back to keep it out of the way, I have a rifle and pistol and other more primary weapons. My leather shoulder holster covers the armpit gaps in my 3A kevlar all right, and with a Glock21 under one and 2 magazines under the other, I think I have fair protection when. The key idea is to keep the sword from getting in the way of movement and other weapons.
I think having the blade only slightly to the dominant hand is best, and the sheathe being firmly fixed is very important. In this video the scabbard was worn loose on the shoulder and you had to use your off hand to hold the scabbard. You suspension system was not designed for that carry mode. Although what I'm planning looks like Blade's carry system, that's not what inspired me. It was the Scholagladiatora video showing the Celtic figurines with their longswords worn down the spine. I think the gladius and sheathe in that location would provide additional protection for the backbone, while also being available for ambidextrous draw. That's an advantage with easily handled one handed weapons, and I plan to have a pistol and ka-bar so that's lots of options to pair with the gladius.
You mention shoulder draw is slower than hip draw. The same is true for wearing a pistol on the hip vs shoulder holsters. However, there are many occasions where shoulder holsters make more sense than hip carry, be it IWB, OWB, or duty holster. Driving in a car all day makes shoulder holsters the way to go, and they work better with armor then hip carries, especially IWB.
That lorica segmentata looks really beautiful. Granted, it's one of the prettier styles of armor anyway, but I just felt the need to note that that set looks really well-made.
I never got a notification for this video. It only popped up in my reccomations after watching the latest Shadiversity video. TH-cam is being weird again. Great video btw
If you wore a gladius on the back. Wouldn't it make more sense to have it hanging on your lower back and drawing it perpendicular to your hip rather than over your shoulder?
Excellent point
Considering Legionnaires were in tight formations (almost shoulder to shoulder) drawing a weapon to the side I think would be very difficult.
I like you talking in armor, and think this video shows off your lorica better than the others.
I was surprised you didn't mention (what to me) was the most obvious reason the legionaries wore their swords on the right hip: being able to draw their swords in close formation. As you pointed out, drawing the sword from the back exposes your armpit, but it also puts your elbow in your fellow legionary's face. And the guy to your left is putting his elbow in yours, etc.
Would you be willing to gather your cohort and film an experimental draw in a shield wall? I think it would not only demonstrate why the gladius was worn on the hip, but also further demonstrate why it was worn on the right side.
Another great video! Wearing the armor in different ways really helps determine why the Romans did certain things. It's always about the efficient use of equipment to help the soldier survive and win battles.
Back at it with another great one, and I hope someday swords on the back are as cool as in videogames and movies.
And also check out Metatron video on carrying swords on the back from a few years ago, anyone who hasn't already. I really liked that one.
If you have a backdraw scabbard it is perfectly valid especially with a shield, maybe not from a roman aspect but the shield will protect you while you draw it, I've done it for years in mock combat after I drop a short spear or a mace. It does work, very well with swords the size of a gladius specifically
Hello Raff, I just wanted to say that I've heard about the current weather in Sicily and I hope you and your family/friends are allright.
Great video Metatron. I always saw the reason behind weapons slung on the back being so prevalent in fiction being that it's a callback to the imagery of soldiers carrying their rifles/muskets that way, and because larger fantasy-styled weapons would be nearly impossible to carry regularly due to the bulk and odd shapes(not that in fantasy they do anything but inexplicably float in place to begin with), and because it gives characters a more interesting silhouette
Weapons that are large and unwieldy have seldom been the soldiers' "personal" weapons and thus having been carried constantly, instead being transported separatedly(most kind of polearms and pikes for example), but like you said, some Celts certainly did, and I'm wondering about how common large two handed weapons were during the Roman era apart from the usual Sarissa or a Falx, weapons that WOULD benefit from being carried on the back.
It's funny how "Warriors back carrying" thing apparently comes from historical fact. Squires DID wear big swords on their backs.. So their knight can draw it. After all, at worst cases, squires were just pack mules for a noble man.
08:33 - That's clearly not you, that's Sylvester Stallone there! ;-)
A sword on the back gives you great access to the pummel, making it easier to end them rightly.
Hi. Great video... But if the gladius were inverted at the back? That way is really easy and fast to do it. You'll need somekind of lock or the sword could fall down, but is a great way to carry a sword and be ready to battle.
"That woman Ivana is always putting her sword in my back. "
Donald of the Bonespurs Legion
By the way. That Gladius look damn good.
I definitely need more Gladiator videos of you XDDDD
Great video!
(3:34) In the center there's an example of early (?) Roman scale armor. Does anyone know the name of this relief?
Thank you for sharing 👍
Et tu, Brute?
I like werewolf I use silver stick big smash them.
8:33 he looks at least a bit like Sylvester Stallone 😉
10:22 (right) Bazuso?
What if there is a slot running down the front of half of the sheath (just like some fast draw handgun holsters) to make a sword draw more easily? All you would have to do is pull the sword half way up and then raise it out through the slot and forward.
Shad made a good video with a serviceable Scabbard on the back, but yea I don't see the benefit wearing a Gladius on the back, the blade isn't overly long and it wouldn't be an issue drawing it from the side, nor would it be hanging far behind you like a longsword would. Expanding on your points with the weak points in Roman armor, Roman armor also is restrictive for that type of movement and doesn't allow the proper articulation for drawing from the back unlike mail and gambison which allows for full range of moment above the shoulders.
Marius' mules. They carried so much equipment that the sword on back was not possible.
late roman shields were still large but they had their swords on the left, I think its more the shape of the shield then its size (later shields were flatter, thus didn't get in the way.
5:00 well, that's why people say short SWORD, not knife, right? I mean: messer (in portuguese, "facão"), means literaly "big knife", so there is a gap between big knife and short sword.
A 'deus vult' T-shirt, how can you be so controvercial yet so brave
4:12 This is how I look walking back to my room when mom threatens to beat my ass if I dont let my stupid little brother play on the gameboy advance. 😂
These are good points.
look at that production
Scouts! ROME DOESN'T NEED SCOUTS!
(I myself don't fully believe this, but I've been told most Roman generals wouldn't send scouts out because they lead to dishonourable tactics BUT it makes a nice meme ^^)
Romans were pragmatic, and the legions were expensive. That didn't prevent overconfident knuckleheads from marching into ambush (Teutoburg Forest, anyone?).
i really like the gladius fulham, where can i get a decent (historically correct) one?? , i want it just for my collection, not for practical or reenactment uses
good video, but could you test doing stuff with it on your right hip and then on your back? you dont really have to do it exactly but the moves like digging into the ground, chopping wood, setting up a tent or whatever, as i agree it makes very little sense in any on duty setting, but given its more common then allot of people would prefer that modern soldiers will put their rifles over their backs when doing similar jobs, but still need a firearm on hand (not losing it) in case of a sudden alert.. id like to be proven wrong x3
Can you go over the metal face shield the Calvary wore?
Ciao Raffaele,
so che non è un argomento trattato sul tuo canale ma penso che tu abbia accesso alle conoscenze storiche sul regno delle Due Sicilie e sui Borboni.
Potresti prendere in considerazione in futuro qualche video che ripercorra la nostra storia?
Sarebbe molto affascinante visto che anche tu come me sei di Palermo :)
Un saluto e complimenti per il tuo lavoro e per la tua passione
So the gladiators didn't wear swords on their backs, but what of the sadiators.
I'm curious if you'd be willing to do a video on the Falx, I've always liked it and have wondered the origin of it (how did someone think of it).
_sword on the back = ninja_
Roman Legionary with his gladius on the back? ABSOLUTELY BARBARIC!
What if you had the scabbard length ways on the belt, and behind you, the way some people carry knives
A gladius is a short sword so there is no need to carry it on your back as it doesn't get in the way when worn on the hip and is easier to draw in that position while leaving your back free for carrying equipment.
And what about having the scabbard incorparated (?) in the shield?
Metatron, I’m very satisfied that you’re always passionate about the ancient Romans. However, I would like to make a request and that would be more videos of the ancient Greeks. Does that sound good? I just love how the Romans imitated the Greeks. Would you make more videos of Ancient Greek culture, history, and more?
Not next video but the one after should be about Greeks if all goes well
Thank you sir! You are awesome. I’m proud to be one of your biggest fans. Go metatron!!!
The thumbnail looks like a Roman on a bicycle
Anyone here that knows a ytber who uses the song played in 2.12 for outro??? I'm breaking my head to remember!
what if the sword was worn on the lower back, in line with the hip but rotated round to be at the bottom of a pack etc?
Why didn't they protect the throat with armour? It doesn't seem like it would be much more trouble. Maybe more expense, but it is quite a vulnerable area. Is there a reason why they didn't?
Thought it was Matt Easton in the thumbnail.
Could you make a video about Romans that actually trained also in one on one Fights?
or can you tell me if they trained also with only the sword? (which I think they did)
Oh dear! This is a silly idea wich Ridley Scott might be using for "Gladiator 2"
and by the way: if i had to raise my armpit (to draw the gladius from my back) the legionaires next to me in the line will drop dead instantly
Swords were worn on the left starting in the 3rd century AD. Probably as early as the late 2nd century AD.
Krusader Metatron. Veri nice.
Raff, do you know a city in Italy Called Bergamo?
Great video
I like the idea of the 6th century seax in the not if the back...lol
When you talk about the armpit it makes a lot of sense. You dont even have to aim to the heart. There is a major axial artery under each armpit. You only need to make a deep cut and the person will quickly bleed to death.
When you think about it, the roman armor leaves every major artery exposed:
- The axial arteries under the armpits
- the axial arteries between the legs
- the jugular.
Have you read Cestus: The Legend of Boxing in the Dark Ages if not I'd recommend reading it it's a manga about a Roman slave fighter who tries to earn his and his teacher freedom
You guys are litteraly the league of swords' myths busters... Or meme busters
Funny you should mention that. Metatron was a part of a collab some time ago with a few other channels that they actually called the "Medieval Mythbusters." They did a historical analysis of the film "Excalibur", although I don't know if they've done another such project since then.
Will you ever compare han china to roman empire, or cover the persian wars and battles and how their armor and troop changed ?
Metatron, did you did a video about Jigen Ryu?
Ave, true to Caesar.
I have a question for Metatron. I have seen a couple of video sources suggesting that the Romans wore the sword on their right him but with the pommel/grip actually pointing back towards their right side allowing them to draw the sword in a similar manner to an old west gunfighter. Is there any way that you can confirm or debunk this?
What was the Latin at the beginning?
Metatron, where did you buy you roman equipment btw?
Hey metatron, what about sword in the shield like Achilles in the film Troy? Would there be any advantage to that?
Can you make a video about the Cagayan Battles? 40 spaniards really defeated a superior force of ronin? Everywhere that I try to look is biased against the spaniards. What really happened there?
Can u make a review on the costumes And armours of TV novel "a terra prometida", it is a low budget bíblico TV show produce by brasilian Chanel.
Will you ever make anything about medieval Russia, or any eastern european country in the medievel period? Not many talk about eastern europe
Hello metatron, I have a question to ask; if there were to be an apocalyptic event, e.g. a zombie apocalypse, would you make use of your weapons, suits of armour etc and if so how and which ones? Thanks
I have two videos on that ;)
Metatron oh I’ll have to go and watch them! Thanks for replying to me and keep up the excellent work
Thanks for greeting me
singned
Kaiser ;)
Obviously you don't have to wear it on your back all the time. You might carry it this way when marching and then move it to your hip before battle, but when you're not likely to need it, you would carry it so it was out of the way, not so you could draw it in a heartbeat at all times. There's really no need for that. You almost always know beforehand when you might need it, and when you probably won't.
If roman soldiers carried their shield constantly when marching in enemy territories, did it make a difference in their skeletal structure similar to medieval english archers?
Have two weapons a shortsword or dagger on the back and a gladius on the hip
When it comes to chainmail what kind of chain mail do you prefer do you like butted chainmail or riveted chainmail? If we were to make chain mail today I think welding the ends would be the best bet no way that's coming apart course the chain mail that is around today is only used to protect you from sharks or couldn't your hand in the meat industry
What camera do you have
I'm left handed and I don't think I could wield that sword very well with my off hand. What did the Romans do with there left handed soldiers?