1. Dacian Sword (Sica), with scabbard fragment, 1st century BC - 1st century AD, museum piece

The Sica was a short sword or long dagger used by the Thracians, Dacians, and Illyrians of Antiquity, but also in Ancient Rome. In the oldest preserved representations, the Sica appears as a curved sword. Various copies of the "sica" have been found in several countries, such as Albania, Romania, Bosnia, Bulgaria and Serbia. The image of the sica sword can also be seen on Trajan's Column, including on the metope depicting the suicide of Decebal. The Sica had a curved shape and was intended to hit the enemy alongside the shield's edge, causing cuts or stabbing him from behind. In the Roman Empire, in gladiator fights, the Thraex would usually face the Murmillo, who was armed with Gladius and a large shield, and the first one's equipment with Sica was considered essential to balance the chances and to increase the spectacle of the confrontation. The Sica represents a significant historical artifact, which, due to its role in the Thracian world, contributes to understanding the social and military mechanisms of that society. Also, its distinctive spiritual dimension helps to decipher a new facet of this population's religious mosaic. Of all the curved weapons used by the Thracians of that era, the Sica is the only one that links the Thracians in the south with those in the north of the Danube, being equally distributed on both banks of the river. The handle is fragmentary.

Dimensions

custom scabbard l=36 cm; sheath l=27 cm

Description

steel

PROVENANCE

The piece was purchased from an auction house in Brentwood, Great Britain. The owner has all the acquisition documents, and copies of these, with personal data and prices erased, will be made available to the buyer.

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