Spatha, Gladius, Daggers... From the 2nd century, the long Roman spatha gradually began to replace the shorter gladius. In the 3rd century, it had already become the standard weapon of the imperial Roman legionnaires and auxiliary soldiers, and was often used by gladiators as well. The exact origins of the spathe, as well as the reasons why it so quickly replaced the efficient gladius in heavy use during the middle to late Roman Empire, are still debated among historians and ancient Roman enthusiasts to this day. Although spathae are commonly believed to be of Celtic origin and to owe their rapid popularity to changes in combat techniques and military tactics in the Roman infantry and cavalry, the lack of reliable sources on the subject unfortunately often leads to speculation.
