The Parazonium: Symbol of power in Ancient Rome

The parazonium is a double-edged dagger from classical antiquity. The dagger was adopted by various peoples until it was used in the Roman tradition as a symbol of power. Although it seems a simple weapon at first glance, it represents authority, military honor, and political power. 

What is a Parazonium?

The parazonium (Latin: parazonium) was a relatively short, double-edged dagger or sword, typically worn by high-ranking officers in the Roman army. Unlike weapons such as the gladius or the spatha, the parazonium did not have a primary combat function. It was rather a status symbol — a sign of rank and authority within the Roman military and political hierarchy.

The blade of the parazonium was often typically leaf-shaped and about 30 to 45 cm long. That makes it even shorter than the gladius. The grip was often richly decorated, with some findings featuring the pommel designed as the head of an eagle. The eagle symbolizes the authority of the god Jupiter and was attributed intelligence and foresight, adopted from the Etruscan tradition. 

Although the parazonium is strongly associated with the Roman Empire, its roots are older and more widespread. The origin of this type of dagger goes back to the Scythians. They carried the acinaces which in this nomadic steppe culture symbolized authority. These daggers were richly decorated and were often depicted on their Kurgan stelae (stone monuments). The Persians adopted the tradition of using the acinaces from these Iranian-speaking steppe nomads. The Greeks, in turn, adopted the tradition of the parazonium from the Iranians and the weapon became popular in the Hellenistic period. Short swords like the parazonium were functional weapons in hoplite wars, where swords could be used to stab between the narrow openings of hoplite shields, the aspis,. The Spartans are known for preferring very short swords for this purpose instead of the longer xiphos . It is possible that in this context the parazonium can also be seen. In the tomb of Philip II from the 4th century BC, the father of Alexander the Great, various parazonia were found that closely resemble the well-known xiphos. 

The Romans adopted the weapon from the Greeks, likely from the Macedonians in the Hellenistic East. In terms of design, the Roman version of the scabbard closely resembles that of the Macedonians. The grip and pommel are not copies of the Greek style. The pommel is either an eagle's head or a two-lobed knob. After 2,000 years, the details of the grip on the statues are no longer clearly visible. The crossguard, contrary to some studies, is authentic and has a rather theatrical "S" shape with inlaid details. The blade is usually leaf-shaped and 38–48 cm long.

In the earliest period of the Roman army, the parazonium was presumably still used as an emergency weapon, for example in unexpected attacks or in closed formations. The weapon was small, agile, and still suitable for short-range combat. However, its use quickly evolved. From the 2nd century BC, the parazonium began to function primarily as a ceremonial attribute, worn by high-ranking officers, tribunes, and even emperors. When a battle threatened, these commanders typically exchanged their parazonium for a gladius or later the spatha — weapons that were more effective on the battlefield.

A notable aspect of the parazonium was the way it was worn: not in a belt around the hip, but often tucked under the left arm. On the famous Column of Trajan, for example, officers are shown inserting the parazonium into a band on the chest. It then served not only as a symbol of rank but was also used to inspire the troops — literally as a “sign of Virtus,” the Roman personification of military virtue.

The parazonium appears very regularly in the visual arts of the Roman period. In reliefs, statues, and coins, we see the weapon as a fixed attribute of certain figures and personifications.

The parazonium also appears in portraits of Roman emperors or high-ranking military officers. For instance, in Lucentum, a Roman city in present-day Spain (near Alicante), a bronze fragment of a statue was found. It depicts a Roman dignitary holding a parazonium. Notably, the grip here takes the form of a double-headed eagle — one of the oldest known examples of this motif.

Unfortunately, few Roman parazonia have been recovered as archaeological finds. This makes it difficult to determine precisely what all these weapons looked like or how common they were. However, there are some remarkable examples:

Pompeii: A rare find of a parazonium from Pompeii shows that the grip could be complex in shape and sometimes cast from bronze, with animal motifs such as an eagle's head.

Lucentum (Spain): As previously mentioned, a statue fragment was found in this Roman city that shows the weapon in detail. This fragment dates from the 1st or early 2nd century AD and was located in the forum, the political and religious heart of the city.

The parazonium thus primarily had a symbolic function. It was used to:

• Visually emphasize the rank of an officer or emperor.

• Inspire courage in soldiers (the physical presence of a parazonium had psychological value).

• Depict Roman virtues such as Virtus, Dignitas, and Auctoritas.

Thus, it was a political and ideological instrument — not an effective percussion weapon, but a bearer of meaning and status. In that respect, the parazonium can be compared to modern ceremonial weapons, such as the sabres of generals or the ceremonial swords of kings.

The parazonium was much more than a dagger. As an attribute of the gods, emperors, and military leaders, it played a key role in the visual communication of power in the Roman Empire. The weapon was worn as a sign of courage and leadership and frequently appears in art, on coins, and in sculptures — although archaeological finds are rare.