Amateur archaeologist in Switzerland unearths 2k-year-old Roman dagger
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Amateur archaeologist in Switzerland unearths 2k-year-old Roman dagger
1–10 of 52 posts
Re: Amateur archaeologist in Switzerland unearths 2k-year-old Roman dagger
#2Just once (4th paragraph), the article refers to the object as a "short sword". That strikes me (passably-well-read in some related areas) as very different from "dagger".
Any more-expert folks here, to have a sense for how big a deal that is (in the context)?
Re: Amateur archaeologist in Switzerland unearths 2k-year-old Roman dagger
#3It's impressive to see the difference between the dagger as it was discovered and as it's been restored, but I'm really curious to see what it would look like in "like-new" condition.
Re: Amateur archaeologist in Switzerland unearths 2k-year-old Roman dagger
#4Just once (4th paragraph), the article refers to the object as a "short sword". That strikes me (passably-well-read in some related areas) as very different from "dagger". Any more-expert folks here, to have a sense for how big a deal that is (in the context)?
It is a "pugio", a sort of small dagger sidearm for Roman soldiers. I can't think of any reason to refer to it as a short sword in English as that conjures up the image of a much larger weapon. These are essentially the same as the daggers used to kill Julius Caesar, for example.
Re: Amateur archaeologist in Switzerland unearths 2k-year-old Roman dagger
#5Just once (4th paragraph), the article refers to the object as a "short sword". That strikes me (passably-well-read in some related areas) as very different from "dagger". Any more-expert folks here, to have a sense for how big a deal that is (in the context)?
It's possible the author thought using "dagger" twice in two sentences sounded clunky.
Re: Amateur archaeologist in Switzerland unearths 2k-year-old Roman dagger
#6Just once (4th paragraph), the article refers to the object as a "short sword". That strikes me (passably-well-read in some related areas) as very different from "dagger". Any more-expert folks here, to have a sense for how big a deal that is (in the context)?
Short swords do 40% more damage than daggers on average (1d6 vs 1d4) and this matters less over time as strength is maxed and magic bonuses are applied. If this Roman was at high level, the two words were effectively interchangeable for him.
Re: Amateur archaeologist in Switzerland unearths 2k-year-old Roman dagger
#7It's impressive to see the difference between the dagger as it was discovered and as it's been restored, but I'm really curious to see what it would look like in "like-new" condition.
Here is another one restored to a better shape [1], close-up [2]. I must admit it doesn't look as perfect as replicas (e.g. in movies), obviously we have much better and precise technology/craftsmanship these days. Probably "as new" may not differ that much from what we restore to.
1. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/archaeology-intern...
2. https://www.archaeology.org/news/8493-200302-germany-roman-d...
Re: Amateur archaeologist in Switzerland unearths 2k-year-old Roman dagger
#8I wonder what archaeologists 2000 years from now will unearth as news-worthy.
Re: Amateur archaeologist in Switzerland unearths 2k-year-old Roman dagger
#9I wonder what archaeologists 2000 years from now will unearth as news-worthy.
A still working Apple II that was forgotten in a bunker.
Re: Amateur archaeologist in Switzerland unearths 2k-year-old Roman dagger
#10It's impressive to see the difference between the dagger as it was discovered and as it's been restored, but I'm really curious to see what it would look like in "like-new" condition.
Here is another one restored to a better shape [1], close-up [2]. I must admit it doesn't look as perfect as replicas (e.g. in movies), obviously we have much better and precise technology/craftsmanship these days. Probably "as new" may not differ that much from what we restore to. 1. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/archaeology-intern... 2. https://www.archaeology.org/news/8493-200302-germany-roman-d...
I can never get over how real sword (or dagger) handles look so painful to wield. Maybe it's that most of them have lost some leather wrapping or else were just ornamental...but I've seen several that just looked guaranteed to hurt the wielder with each swing.