The pugio (Latin: [ˈpuːɡioː]; [1] [2] plural: pugiones) was a dagger used by Roman soldiers as a sidearm. It seems likely that the pugio was intended as an auxiliary weapon, but its exact purpose for the soldier remains unknown though it seems it …

The pugio (dagger) was ornate even by Roman standards. It was worn on the left side of the body, attached to the cingulum that the soldier wore around his waist. The handle was shaped to fit snugly in the hand, and the blade was fashioned from either iron or bronze and pear shaped.

A pugio (plural: pugiones) was a type of Roman dagger weapon. It typically had a double-edged blade of between 7 to 12 inches long, and a handle of about 4 inches long which was made of bone, wood, or metal.

The pugio, while primarily known as a soldier’s dagger, played a vital role across different ranks in the Roman military. Commonly, legionaries carried it as part of their standard equipment, alongside the gladius.

Pugio was a legionnaire's dagger used mainly for all kinds of work and fighting in very close contact and self-defense.

Roman soldiers used a dagger, called the pugio, as secondary (back-up ?) offensive weapon. These are often highly decorated and were clearly a status symbol. Click here to get to: The Pugio of the Roman Republic; The Pugio in the 1st century AD; The Pugio in 2nd - 3rd century AD; Knives; Roman Republic

The pugio played a significant role in hand-to-hand fighting scenarios of ancient Rome. This dagger was not just another weapon; it was essential for soldiers and gladiators in tight situations. Its short blade made it ideal for ambush tactics, where space was limited.

Mar 11, 2022 · In ancient Rome the equipment of the Roman soldier - both the legionary and the auxilia - encompassed more than a gladius, scutum and body armour; strung fro...

Jan 14, 2024 · At the end of the first century B.C. the pugio began to gain a more Roman characteristics. The pommel was no longer round, but semicircular. The blade then evolved from the narrow Celtic profile to the more recognizable leaf shape.

Making a pugio can be difficult, since the blade must have the proper shape, with either a simple or grooved midrib. The flat tang matches the outline of the hilt, and is sandwiched between two "organic" layers; horn, bone, ivory, or wood.