Ge e

and Materes were adopted by the Allobroges (a body of ancient Gauls so called) independently of the broad cut and thrust sword, which the Swi still wear. These instruments were only one cubit long; half the blade was nearly square, but it terminated in a round point that was exceedingly sharp. Virgil in his Æneid calls this species of blade, alp in, meaning, no doubt, to convey, that it was in general use among the neighboring inhabitants of the Alps. Not only the Romans, but the Greeks received it into their armies. The former retained the full appellation and called it gése, but the latter corrupted it into y e. This is the only weapon with which those soldiers were armed that escorted malefactors, who were condemned to death, to the place of execution. The term gese was also applied to a sort of a javelin.