TimeLine Auctions Limited
Lot 405
2nd-3rd century AD. An iron dagger blade (pugio), with a flat tang, the blade squat and waisted, shallow midrib with side channels. See Casprini, F., Saliola, M., Pugio gladius brevis est, storia e tecnologia del pugnale da guerra romano, Roma, 2012, fig.1/8 p.17, 1/12 p.20m and especially fig.21, p.104, specimen from Poetavonium, Museum of Zamora and no.45, p.106. 112 grams, 26.5cm (10 1/2"). Property of a gentleman from Vienna; from his private collection formed since 1970. The pugio (dagger) was the short weapon of offence of the Roman miles, also famous for being the weapon with which Julius Caesar was killed, and it represents the second most characteristic weapon of the Imperial Roman legionary after the gladius. It often had a waisted blade, in the shape of a weeping willow leaf, with a variation in the form which has over time more or less emphasised its characteristics. This specimen seems to belong to the period III of the Saliola-Casprini classification. [No Reserve] For this specific lot, 5% import VAT is applicable on the hammer price Fine condition.
