AWA431 - Why do Roman swords have no crossguard?

Why does the Roman gladius have so little protection for the hand compared with many later swords? In this episode, Murray answers a listener question about one of the most distinctive features of the Roman sword. Medieval swords often feature substantial guards designed to protect the hand, yet the gladius has only a relatively small guard. Why? Join us on Patreon patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast