What were the Romans' weapons?

Answer 1

The basic infantry weapons were first the spear and the sword. They used several ranks - light infantry with javelins, swordsmen with shields forming a shield wall, and a rear line of veteran spearmen.

The spear became a javelin (pilum) with an iron spike and a thicker wooden body of a suitable size to be gripped when throwing. The iron spike was attached to a wooden shaft by two wooden pins, one weaker than the other. On impact the weaker pin broke, so the enemy could not throw it back. If it lodged in a shield, the shaft flopped down, impeding the user's mobility and ability to protect himself.

The sword was the Spanish sword - a short two sided blade adapted from Spain, and used mainly for stabbing.

The shield was curved rectangular. The Romans gave up the shield wall, spacing men a bit apart to give them fighting room to manoeuvre against opponents. Enemy who broke through the gaps were dealt with by waiting succeeding ranks.

In support were auxiliary light infantry armed with bows, javelins and slings. Also cavalry with javelins, bows, swords, at first comprising the few Romans wealthy enough to be able to support a horse (then the state provided them, plus wealthy widows also had to contribute and maintain horses), but as cavalry became more pervasive against horsed invaders, auxiliary cavalry were hired (Germans, Numidians).

Also, missile projectors of various types were provided to harrass enemy formations as a softening up for an attack. As well there was a seige train, which provided the engines necessary to attack fortifications.

Answer 2

Roman weapons were used in the same way as in every society of the word. They were used by the soldiers to fight battles. For self-defence, private individuals hid daggers under their clothes because Roman religion forbade the carrying of weapons within the city walls.

Answer 3

The Roman soldiers used the gladio, a short sword which was light and easy to handle in close combat. In the late Roman Empire a longer sword (the spatha) was introduced. The soldiers also carried a dagger (pugio) and two pila (plural of pilum). There were two models of the pilum (javelin) a heavy one and a light one. Originally it weighed between 2 and 5 kilos (4 and a half to 11 pound) and lighter versions were made later. It was 2 metre (7 ft. 7 in) long with an iron shaft 7 mm (0.28 in) in diameter and a 60 cm (24 in) long pyramidal head. The shank was not hardened and with its softness it bent on impact, so that when it stuck to the enemy's shield, it made it unusable as trying to pull it out would waste too much time. Its bending also made it unusable for the enemy. They also had six plumbatae(a name derived from plumbum, lead) clipped to the back of the shield. These were light darts.