History of the Sword

The evolution of the blade parallels humankind’s development of metallurgic technology. About 5000 years ago the Minoans developed metal-working technology, using primarily copper, gold and silver. The addition of tin to copper yielded a bronze alloy which was strong enough to make blades of reliable use.

By 4000 years ago, raiders of the Mediterranean, presumably from Russia, had developed double-edged weapons that could be used for cutting as well as stabbing. Because of the new stresses placed on blades used in this fashion, gradual advances were made in the shapes of the blade and tang to prevent the swords from essentially falling of their hilts during combat.

By about 2600 years ago the Assyrians controlled much of the middle-east, and their empire was founded on the ability to make blades of iron. European tribes at this time were also developing long iron swords, probably based on the Assyrian technology. By 2500 years ago, iron was used almost exclusively for edged weapons. The iron long sword ultimately proved to be too much even for the Roman Empire, and changed little from that time until the Middle Ages.

During the Middle Ages, swords became heavier and more ornamental. Because of the added weight of the sword, the quillon, or hand guard, was developed. This essentially prevented the hand from slipping off the handle and onto the blade itself. Through the Middle Ages, the quillon became more elaborate, sometimes forming a basket to protect the entire hand and making the sword nearly impossible to drop.

In the early Middle Ages, swords were the weapons of knights and nobility, to be used both from horseback and on foot. By the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance, military tactics dictated the formation of large armies. Swords began to be issued to foot soldiers of all ranks to be used as their primary weapons. At this time, the traditional role of the knight began to evolve into the horsed cavalry, and their swords were used almost exclusively from horseback. Broadswords began to evolve into the modern saber.

The saber continued to be a weapon of use in warfare until World War I. Since that period, the new technologies developed in the American Civil War have advanced considerably, and the sword is now used primarily for decorative and formal purposes rather than combat.

Somewhat less is knows about the evolution of edged weapons in Asia prior to the Renaissance era, but beautifully ornamental swords and daggers from Asian regions have been dated back to the 1300’s. These include the Indian talwar, bhuj and bagh nakh; the more modern Indian Khanda; the Indonesian kris and mandau; and of course the daisho, haikuchi, hamidashi, kwaiken and nagamaki of Japan. The most historic of the swords of Japan is the tachi, the first samurai sword.

The Boone Collection - Image Gallery: Japanese Swords

Select an image to view the object in full. Sword and Tsuba Diagram Sword Images Tsuba Images. Continue to additional Tsuba Images...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

3 Dragon sword images

Visit the link for details.

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

Broken Sword Planet

News, reviews, images, walkthroughs, easter eggs, fanworks, and other information on the Broken Sword trilogy of games.

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

The Krympirean Sword

...The Kympirean Sword Story.. The Krympirean Sword Images.. View My Guestbook.. Sign My.....and images. ©2000 The Krympirean Sword, images, and anything related.. to The.....for FREE.. ...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

Kyle's Cardcaptors Page -> "Double Edged Sword" TV Images

Kyle's Cardcaptors. "Double Edged Sword" Images. These images were captured win the WinTV GO Model #190 for $50. It can be bought at Staples, CompUSA (where I got mine), and Best ...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

Sword Images

Point Gallery sword images...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

Sword Images - Copyright-Safe Clipart

...Home: Gifart Index; Military .. Sword Images.. These Sword Images are brought to.....Images © Gifart.com.. Click Here for Sword Images From Clipart.com, With Over 2 Million.....To find ...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

Shadow Skill: Sword of Ashilana

Scripts, images, fan fiction, tributes, Dias Ragu shrine, episode summaries, and animations.

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

Helbreath Sword Images& Stats

Helbreath Sword Images& Stats Pic Item Level Req. Str Full. Str Speed S/M L Handed Sabre 1 12 ...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

BSA Plant Images Online - Silver sword (HA)

...BSA Plant Images Online - Silver sword (HA)....About the BSA.. About Botany.....Pages: American Journal Of Botany.. Cover Images.. BSA Members - Images.. Angiosperms.....IMAGE ...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]