The Roman "spatha" was used in war and in gladiatorial fights. The "spatha" of literature appears in the Roman Empire in the 1st century AD as a weapon used by presumably Germanic auxiliaries and gradually became a standard heavy infantry weapon, relegating the "gladius" to use as a light infantry weapon. The "spatha" apparently replaced the "gladius" in the front ranks, giving the infantry more reach when thrusting. While the infantry version had a long point, versions carried by the cavalry had a rounded tip that prevented accidental stabbing of the cavalryman's own foot or horse.