The adoption of the gladius in the Republican period is not well documented. We have the story from Livy of Titus Manlius who accepted the challenge to fight a Gaul. He fastened on his armor and picked up a shield and “Spanish” sword which was better adapted for close fighting than the Roman sword. As the combatants approached, the Gaul raised his shield to block any slashes from the Roman and swung his own sword at Manlius. Avoiding the blow, Titus leaned into the Gaul, stabbed him twice in the abdomen, and killed him. When did the Romans adopt this Spanish sword? We don’t know.
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