The task of classic weapons is to perform defensive or offensive actions. Since the Stone Age, mankind has evolved, working on the creation of models, the purpose of which was both specific and unique. So, the masters of antiquity developed a special unusual edged weapon.
How did it all start?
The history of edged weapons stretches into the Stone Age and the Paleolithic. Products of that time were widely used during hunting and in internecine battles. These are clubs and clubs. Daggers and knives were also created. Stone products were soon replaced by flint and bone. The first melee weapon of the Paleolithic is the bow, which at that time was considered the most perfect of all types of weapons and was indispensable both in hunting and in battle. With the discovery of copper and bronze, swords, maces, knives and daggers are created. A new era of edged weapons began in the era of the Roman Empire, when the main role in the battles was given to the saber.
ColdMedieval weapons
In the 9th century, the evolution of the weapons of European countries was influenced by their geographical location. Due to the similarity of folk cultures, the technologies for creating edged weapons by craftsmen from different countries had much in common. The legacy of the Roman Empire made a significant contribution to this process. Also, European countries borrowed some elements of Asian types of weapons. Melee weapons of the Middle Ages, used in close combat, were classified according to the principle of action. As it was in ancient times.
Melee weapon types
Historians identify the following types of melee weapons:
- Shock. It includes a mace, club, club, chain, flail and pole.
- Stab. This type of bladed weapon can be hilt (daggers, daggers, rapiers, stilettos and swords) or polearms (spears, pikes, horns and tridents).
- Chopping. To him belong: a battle ax, a scythe and a sword.
- Stab-chopping: saber, broadsword, sword, scimitar, halberd.
- Stab-cutting. It includes various types of knives.
Production
The expansion of knowledge about the properties of the metal and the technology of working with it made it possible for gunsmiths to experiment. Very often, weapons were made to order. This explains the presence of a large number of products of various shapes and properties. The development of weapons business was influenced by the emergence of manufactory production: special attention of gunsmiths was now paid to fighting qualities, and notdecorative component. Nevertheless, ancient melee weapons are not devoid of their individuality. Each such product, depending on the workshop in which it was made, had its own special sign: marking or stamp.
Any model is made for a specific purpose: for defense or for the offensive. There is also an unusual melee weapon designed to deliver as much torment as possible to the enemy. The geography of such creations of masters is very wide. It covers territories from Asia to Egypt and India.
What is khopesh?
This unusual edged weapon is a sickle based on Sumerian and Assyrian swords and axes. Khopesh was produced in ancient Egypt.
Iron or bronze was used for work. In its design, this unusual melee weapon had a wooden handle and a sickle, which allows you to disarm the enemy by clinging to the shield. Also, with the help of khopesh, chopping, stabbing and cutting blows were carried out. The design of the product ensured the efficiency of its use.
Khopesh was mainly used as an axe. It is very difficult to prevent a blow with such a melee weapon, in addition, it is able to break through any obstacle. Throughout the blade, only its outer edge was subject to sharpening. Khopesh easily pierced chain mail. The reverse side was capable of penetrating the helmet.
Unusual Indian dagger
In India, an unusual edged weapon was created - Qatar. This product isvariety of daggers. This unique bladed melee weapon differs from daggers in that its handle is shaped like the letter "H" and is made from the same material as the blade.
Katar has two parallel thin bars as a support for the hand. It is used as a piercing weapon capable of piercing chain mail. Possession of catarrh testified to the high status of a warrior.
Ancient Nubian Throwing Knife
Klinga - this is the name given to an unusual edged weapon used by the warriors of the Azanda tribe, which was located on the territory of ancient Nubia. This item is a multi-blade throwing knife.
The size of the blade was 550 mm. The device of this melee weapon consisted of three blades stretching in different directions from the handle. Klinga was intended to inflict the most painful blows on the enemy. The Nubian throwing knife served as a very effective weapon. In addition, it was a distinctive sign confirming the high status of the owner. Klinga was used only by experienced and distinguished warriors.
Unique Chinese Crossbow
Chinese warriors before the conflict with Japan (1894-1895) were equipped with a unique and very formidable weapon of that time - a repeating cho-ko-nu crossbow. This product used the tension and descent of the bowstring. The whole structure worked with one hand: the string was pulled, the bolt fell into the barrel and the descent was made. Cho-to-wellwas a very effective and fast weapon: for twenty seconds, a Chinese warrior could fire about ten arrows. The distance for which this crossbow was intended reached 60 meters. In terms of its penetrating ability, cho-ko-nu gave small indicators. But at the same time, the weapon had a high speed. Often, various poisons were applied to the arrowheads, which made the cho-ko-nu a truly deadly weapon. If we compare this ancient Chinese product with modern similar models, then in its simplicity of design, rate of fire and ease of use, the cho-ko-well has much in common with the Kalashnikov assault rifle.
What are maquahutl and tepustopili?
Makuahutl - this is the name given to the wooden sword used in battles by the Aztecs. In addition to the material from which it was made, the macuahutl differed from other similar weapons in the presence of pointed pieces of obsidian (volcanic glass). They were located along the entire length of the wooden blade. The size of the sword ranged from 900 to 1200 mm. Due to this, wounds from makuahutla turned out to be especially terrible: pieces of glass tore flesh, and the sharpness of the blade itself was enough to cut off the head of the enemy.
Tepustopili is another formidable weapon of the Aztecs. By its design, this product resembled a spear, consisting of a tip and a handle. The length of the handle reached the height of a man. The blade, the size of which corresponds to the palm of the hand, is equipped with very sharp pieces of obsidian, like the makuahutl. Compared to the Aztec wooden sword, the spear had a larger radiusdefeat. A successful tepustopilya blow could easily pierce the armor and body of a person. The design of the tip was designed in such a way that when it hit the enemy's flesh, the tip could not be immediately removed from the wound. As conceived by the gunsmiths, the jagged shape of the tip was supposed to deliver the enemy as much torment as possible.
Non-lethal Japanese kakute
Battle rings or kakute are considered unique fighting items that were widely used by warriors in Japan. Kakute is a small hoop around the finger. The Japanese combat ring is equipped with one or three riveted spikes. Each warrior used predominantly no more than two of these battle rings. One of them was worn on the thumb, and the other on the middle or index finger.
Most often, kakute on the finger was worn with spikes inward. They were used in situations where it was necessary to capture and hold the enemy or inflict minor damage. Battle rings with spikes turned outward became jagged brass knuckles. The main task of kakute is to suppress the enemy. These Japanese battle rings were very popular with ninjas. Kunoichi (female ninja) kakute spikes were treated with poisons, which gave them the ability to carry out fatal attacks.
Gladiator's Armlet
In ancient Rome, during gladiator fights, participants used a special armlet, which was also called a skissor. This unique metal product was worn at one end on the handgladiator, and the second end was a semicircular point. The skissor did not weigh down the hand, as it was very light. The length of the gladiator sleeve was 450 mm. The skissor gave the warrior the ability to block and strike. Wounds from such metal sleeves were not fatal, but were very painful. Each missed blow with a semicircular point was fraught with profuse bleeding.
The history of ancient peoples knows many more types of unusual, specific weapons, which were made by ancient masters in order to deliver the enemy as much torment as possible and were distinguished by their particular sophistication and efficiency.
