Types of swords

This is a list of types of swords.

Further information: Classification of swords and List of premodern combat weapons § Swords

The term sword used here is a narrow definition. This is not a general List of premodern combat weapons and does not include the machete or similar "sword-like" weapons.

African swords

Northern African swords

Eastern African swords

Western African swords

Central African swords

Asian swords

China
Main article: Chinese sword

Japan
Main article: Japanese sword

Korea
Main article: Korean sword

Southeastern Asian swords

Swords and knives found in Southeast Asia are influenced by Indian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, and European forms.

Indonesia

Myanmar

Philippines

Thailand

Bhutan

Bladed weapons of the Indian subcontinent

Sri Lanka

Western and Central Asian swords
  • Acinaces (Scythian short sword)
  • Chereb (חֶרֶב‎, modern Hebrew khérev): ancient Israelite sword mentioned 413 times in the Hebrew Bible.[1]

The Ancient Greeks and Romans also introduced various types of swords, see #Ancient Europe.

Post-classical period

All of the Islamic world during the 16th to 18th century, including the Ottoman Empire and Persia were influenced by the "scimitar" type of single-edged curved sword. Via the Mameluke sword this also gave rise to the European cavalry sabre.

Terms for the "scimitar" curved sword:

European swords

Ancient European swords
  • Bronze Age European swords
    • Harpe: mentioned almost exclusively in Greek mythology
  • Iron Age European swords
    • Falcata: one-handed single-edged sword – blade 48–60 cm (19–24 in) – with forward-curving blade for slashing
    • Falx: Dacian and Thracian one-handed or two-handed single-edged curved shortsword for slashing
    • Gladius: Roman one-handed double-edged shortsword for thrusting (primary) and slashing, used by legionaries (heavy infantry)[2] and gladiators, and late Roman light infantry. 3rd century BCE Roman Republic – late Roman Empire.
    • Kopis: one-handed single-edged sword – blade 48–60 cm (19–24 in) – with forward-curving blade for slashing
    • Makhaira: Greek one-handed, single-edged shortsword or knife for cutting (primary) and thrusting
    • Pugio: Roman dagger
    • Rhomphaia: Greek single-edged straight or slightly curved broadsword – blade 60–80 cm (24–31 in) – for slashing (primary) and thrusting
    • Spatha: Celtic/Germanic/Roman one-handed double-edged longsword – blade 50–100 cm (20–39 in) – for thrusting and slashing, used by gladiators, cavalry and heavy infantry. 3rd century BCE Gaul/Germania – Migration Period.
    • Xiphos: Greek one-handed, double-edged Iron Age straight shortsword
    • Xyele: The short, slightly curved, one-edged sword of the Spartans.[3]
  • Migration Period swords

Post-classical European swords
Main article: Oakeshott typology

Modern European swords

North American swords

See also

References
  1. "Strong's Hebrew: 2719. חָ֫רֶב (chereb) -- a sword". biblehub.com. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  2. "Romeinse Rijk §3.1 Landmacht". Encarta Encyclopedie Winkler Prins (in Dutch). Microsoft Corporation/Het Spectrum. 2002.
  3. Harry Thurston Peck, Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities (1898), Xyele
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