Greek Swords
History of Greek swords. Hoplite swords, Trojan swords, kopis, xiphos and makhaira sword. Greek sword history. Types of Greek swords.
Greek swords went through three different ages, these were known as the Archaic age, the Classic age and the Hellenistic age. The Archaic age begins with the Greeks settling in Corinth, Thebes and Athens all around 8th century B.C. As the population of each city grew the occupants were forced to fight each other with the defeated being forced to work as slaves for the victors. In the Archaic age Greek swords where made of copper and bronze, such swords of this time where Aor, Chalos and Phasganon. Aor was the bronze
Sword or Apollo and was in use at the time of the Trojan war. Phasganon is a straight two edged sword used by foot soldiers and nobles
Greek Hoplite
Greek hoplite
In the Classic age Greek swords took a sharp turn. It was during this time that Athens and Sparta allied to fight the Persians in 500 B.C. All citizens of the time were required to be drafted to the army. After one year of service they were presented with a sword and a shield. During this time the Greeks began to develop their swords out of iron and this lead to the creation of the xiphos, makhiara and the polearm.
The Hellenistic age is best known for Alexander the great, Alexander carried a makhiara with his men carrying polearms and xiphos. By 180 B.C. The Greeks where masters in the art of warfare, they could conduct assaults with catapults as well as a strong defense based around the hoplites.
There are several mythological swords such as the sword of death owned by Thantos the god of non violent death. It was used to take a cutting of a dying persons hair to send to the underworld. One of the most famous swords of Greek myths was the sword given to Perseus to kill Medusa.
Types fo Greek swords
Spartan hoplite sword
Spartan hoplite sword
Greek kopis sword
Greek Kopis sword
Makhaira sword
Makhaira sword
Xiphos
Xiphos sword - Greek swords
Trojan Sword
Trojan sword