The Deepeeka Roman Spatha Replica is a museum-quality historical reproduction of one of the most significant military artefacts of the late Roman Empire. Based on original finds from Köln (Cologne), Germany and the Nydam Mose bog deposit in Denmark, this piece faithfully recreates the long sword carried by Roman soldiers during the 3rd and 4th centuries AD — the period when Rome’s legions were at their most expansive and the spatha had become the standard sidearm of infantry and cavalry alike. Every component has been individually researched against specific catalogued archaeological finds and hand-crafted to the highest standards of historical accuracy.
This Roman spatha replica is a composite reconstruction based on two primary archaeological reference points. The blade geometry follows Vimose catalogue object A22 (Nationalmuseet, Copenhagen, Denmark), the best-preserved spatha from the Vimose bog deposit. The hilt form references the Rhineland military tradition from Cologne, illustrated by scholar M.C. Bishop. The scabbard fittings — the brass disc chape and the cast brass dolphin suspension slide — are both based on objects from the same Vimose deposit, keeping the overall ensemble within a coherent 3rd century archaeological context.
The blade geometry follows the A22 original closely: near-parallel edges running for the majority of the blade length before transitioning into a long, acutely tapering point. Five shallow parallel grooves run along each flat face of the blade. These grooves are documented in multiple 3rd century spatha finds from the Vimose and Illerup Ådal deposits in Denmark.
The guard is carved from hardwood in the plain rectangular form.
The grip is carved from genuine cattle bone, left in its natural cream colour. Four finger grooves provide a secure, positive hand position without additional wrapping.
The pommel is carved from hardwood in a flattened globular form, finished to match the guard. A small brass terminal pin locks the assembly at the tang end — a detail attested in multiple Rhineland examples of the period.
The scabbard is constructed over a wood core covered in vegetable-tanned leather. Brass gutter strips run the full length of both side edges, secured with brass rivets into the wood core. The mouth of the scabbard is fitted with a brass locket.
The scabbard suspension slide is cast in brass in the form of a dolphin — a specifically Roman military decorative motif attested across the Empire from Britain to the Danube frontier. The arch of the dolphin’s body forms an open loop through which the baldric strap (shoulder carry strap) passes, allowing the scabbard to be worn from the shoulder in the Roman military manner. The fitting is based directly on the dolphin-form Schwertriemenbügel found at Vimose (Carnap-Bornheim type, 1991).
The scabbard terminal is a brass disc chape based on Vimose catalogue object A614. The front face carries engraved geometric decoration — a repeating interlocked petal pattern within a plain border ring.The circular disc chape form is, as Bishop and Coulston note in Roman Military Equipment, characteristic of the period across Gaul, Germany, and the Danube region.
This piece is produced as a high-fidelity historical replica for collectors, museum display, living history, and theatrical use.
Each piece is individually hand-crafted and finished at Deepeeka’s production facility. Minor natural variation in the bone grip colour and wood grain is inherent to the use of genuine organic materials and confirms the authenticity of the materials used.
