Which weapon is a short sword used by Roman soldiers in close combat?

Which weapon is a short sword used by Roman soldiers in close combat?

• A. Pilum
• B. Provinces
• C. Gladius
• D. Auxiliaries

Answer: (C)

The gladius is the short sword used by Roman soldiers in close combat. It was the standard weapon of legionaries, crafted for quick, stabbing thrusts in tight formations after the enemy had been disrupted by a thrown javelin. The pilum, in contrast, is a throwing spear meant to break shields and lines from distance, not for melee fighting. Provinces isn’t a weapon, and auxiliaries refers to troops rather than a weapon type, though they often fought with the same gladius.