Culter
Culter is a Latin word for a knife, used for cutting tools of different kinds. Roman finds include iron blades with handles of bone, wood and other materials. Size, blade shape and handle construction vary from object to object: the word alone does not define a single standard “Roman knife”.
A Roman knife. Found in Britain. The British Museum. 1st century AD
A set of knives. Roman Britain. London Museum. 1-2 century AD
Roman knives. Vindonissa Museum. AD 14-104Latin sources also used more specific terms. Falx could designate a sickle-like implement; novacula a razor; scalprum a small cutting tool whose use depends on context. Secespita appears in connection with sacrifice. These terms are not mutually exclusive “models” in a modern catalogue: each must be interpreted against its text, depiction and archaeological context.
Roman bas-relief with knives. 2nd century ADKnives occur in houses, workshops, military camps and graves. Some served food preparation; others belonged to crafts, personal care or ritual. Wear traces and find context can help identify use, but the claim that most ancient knives were specifically Roman is not supported by comparable counts. A reconstruction should start from a dated, provenanced example and should not confuse an everyday knife with a weapon such as the pugio.
Roman folding knife. Iron blade,bronze handle. Length 13.97 cm. Found in Vaucluse,Vaison commune,France. British Museum,London. No. 1851.0813.45. 1-2 century AD
Roman folding knife. Iron blade,bronze handle. Length 13.97 cm. Found in Vaucluse,Vaison commune,France. British Museum,London. No. 1851.0813.45. 1-2 century AD
Roman folding knife. Iron blade,bronze handle. Length 13.97 cm. Found in Vaucluse,Vaison commune,France. British Museum,London. No. 1851.0813.45. 1-2 century ADRelated topics
Sacrifices in ancient Rome · Spoon · Calix · Pugio
A Roman knife. Roman Britain. London Museum. 1-2 century AD
A Roman knife. Roman Britain. London Museum. 1-2 century AD
A Roman knife. Roman Britain. London Museum. 1-2 century AD
A Roman knife. Roman Britain. Museum of Ontario. 1st century AD
A Roman knife. Roman Britain. Museum of Ontario. 1st century AD
A Roman knife. Roman Britain. The British Museum. 2nd century AD
A Roman knife. Roman Britain. London Museum. 1-2 century AD
A Roman knife. Roman Britain. London Museum. 1-2 century AD
Roman bronze knife with a ram's head. Stored in the MMoA. 1st century AD
Roman knives. Vindonissa Museum. Image for postcards. AD 14-104
A Roman knife. Roman Britain. Museum of Ontario. 1st century AD
A Roman knife. Roman Britain. Museum of Ontario. 1st century ADInterested in Ancient Rome beyond reading? Join Legio X Fretensis or explore our reenactment directions.
