Literally, pugio means “dagger”. It was a legionary’s dagger used mainly for all kinds of work and combat in very close contact and self-defence. Like gladius, he was of Spanish descent.
The handle was made of wood and was often lined with bone or metal (thin bronze or iron). The blade was flat and leafy in shape. It was 17 to 25 cm long and 3 to 5 cm wide. A crossguard was riveted to the blade.
