A large Roman Legionnaire Pugio (Dagger), Roman Imperial, ca. 2nd - 3rd century CE The A List Alice Springs2002 Warlukurlangu Collection

Alice Springs2002 Warlukurlangu Collection

wide protruding nose

Provenance:  Originally part of the 1900 excavations of the Egyptian Research Account at Abydos North Cemeteries: Cemetery E

a corselet over his shoulders

acquired from the trade in 2002

A large Roman Legionnaire Pugio (Dagger), Roman Imperial, ca. 2nd - 3rd century CE The A List Alice Springs2002 Warlukurlangu CollectionThis very large, impressive pugio (dagger) is hand forged from iron, and features the characteristic pronounced curved blade and a longitudinal channel on both sides defining a rib. Daggers, such as this example, would have carried an entirely organic grip of wood and a pommel most probably of bone. Such daggers have been found at German frontier forts. Like the gladius (Roman short sword), the pugio is of Spanish origin, acclimated for Roman use.