![]() Not only is it featured in hundreds of movies and tv shows, the historical significance of the blade is so great that it continues to be reproduced by skilled swordsman around the world. The katana is perhaps the most famous sword on this list. (Japan) The katana is one the most famous swords in world history and was the ultimate weapon of the samurai. The scimitar is also an important object in Middle Eastern legend and Islamic tradition. In a pinch, the scimitar also made for deadly hand-to-hand combat. The sword was perfect for downward slashing motions, which were achieved while riding horses. The light and versatile blade made combat on horseback highly effective. This blade is popular in books, movies, and reenactments because of its unique curved shape.ĭeveloped in the 9th century, the scimitar was traditionally forged using Damascus steel. One of the most recognizable swords from the Middle East is the scimitar. ![]() Musée de l’Armée, CC BY-SA 2.0 FR, via Wikimedia Commons (Middle East) The scimitar is an easily recognizable style of curved sword that originates in the Middle East. The metal is thought to have been forged at around 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit, although the process for doing so remains a mystery. The blade was made with “crucible” steel, which was extremely strong and nearly unbreakable. Interestingly, although the swords date to the early middle ages, the methods for creating the famous ulfberht were highly advanced and effective. The swords found date to between 800-1000 AD, when Viking invasions became rather commonplace in areas across Europe. Vikings often buried warriors with their prized weapons. ![]() Although technically considered a Frankish weapon due to its development by Frankish swordsman, the ulfberht is widely recognized as a Viking sword today.Īrchaeologists have discovered around 17o of these swords at dig sites in Northern Europe. Andrew Barclay / CC BY-SAĪnother famous sword is the ulfberht. (Scandinavia) Flexible and durable viking swords were made using highly advanced forging processes. Most fighting techniques could be accomplished, such as slashing, thrusting, and chopping.įighters used the miao dao for combat and for the executions of prisoners of war. This weapon was the ultimate multi-use sword, as it was long enough to use with two hands and light enough for one-handed maneuvers.īecause of its size and weight, soldiers wielding the miao dao in close combat proved deadly. Next on the list is the miao dao, a classic Chinese sword. (China) The Chinese miao dao sword was versatile and deadly in close combat. The sword’s effectiveness is thought to be the reason for Hannibal’s victory at the Battle of Cannae in 216 BC. He provided his soldiers with falcatas of their own. The falcata is most famous for being Hannibal’s weapon of choice against the Romans during the Punic Wars. Like many other blades on the list, the falcata was a versatile weapon used for chopping and slashing. This blade featured a unique blade that was single edged at the hilt and double edged at the tip. The ancient Spanish developed the falcata, a curved sword measuring approximately 2 feet in length. Metropolitan Museum of Art, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (Spain) A close up of the Spanish falcata shows the double edged tip of the blade. Many historians consider the gladius the deadliest sword in history, as it is estimated to have killed more people than any other blade. This weapon allowed the Roman Empire to grow and maintain its power for hundreds of years. While versatile due to its shape and size, the gladius truly was most deadly when used by disciplined formations of soldiers in thrusting attacks. Its relatively short and thick blade made it effective for thrusting. This blade may have derived from those of Celtic mercenaries. One of the most famous and deadly swords in human history is the Roman gladius. Mike Bishop, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Ancient Rome) A reproduction gladius of Pompeii, as used by the Ermine Street Guard. Warriors who wielded a khopesh were often embalmed with their prized weapon. Considered lightweight by ancient standards, the khopesh still proved thick enough to be used as a club in some instances.Īncient Egyptian artists included this blade in many hieroglyphs. The hooked blade of the khopesh allowed its wielder to disarm and finish off their opponent in a few moves. This weapon may have originated in the Middle East or was adapted from sword styles of that region. The khopesh sword was a curved Egyptian blade that was sharpened on one edge. Louvre Museum, CC BY-SA 2.0 FR, via Wikimedia Commons (Ancient Egypt) The Egyptian Khopesh was a prized weapon with a unique, curved blade.
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