Pugio Durio

Pugio Durio

Specifications of the Pugio Durio

• 31.4cm - Blade length
• 55cm - Overall length
• 49mm - blade width measured 95mm from the blade tip (widest point)
• 39mm - blade width measured 230mm from the blade tip (narrowest point)
• 45mm - blade width at base
• 850 g - weight of the Pugio (only the dagger)
• 1500 g - weight incl. wooden scabbard

The pugio was a dagger used by Roman soldiers as a sidearm. The Legionaries wore the Pugio at the cingulum on the side. This type of weapon was developed on the Iberian Peninsula in 2nd century BC, from where it was adopted to the Roman military equipment. It was the successor to the Parazoniums.

It seems likely that the pugio was intended as an auxiliary weapon, but its exact purpose to the soldier remains unknown for sure. Officials of the empire took to wearing ornate daggers in the performance of their offices, and some would wear concealed daggers as a defense against contingencies. The dagger was a common weapon of assassination and suicide; for example, the conspirators who stabbed Julius Caesar used pugiones. Pugio came from the use in the 3rd century AD.

Please read our: Directions for the use of bladed weapons.