Mycenaean
Sword, Xiphos - Griffins, Rosette Design - Symbol of Strength,
Leadership - 1600–1100 BC - Plexiglass Base - pure Bronze Sculpture
Condition: New, Made in Greece.
Material: Pure Bronze
Height: 4,5 cm - 1,8 inches
Width: 27 cm - 110,6 inches
Sword Width: 22 cm - 8,7 inches
Length: 7 cm - 2,8 inches
Weight: 550 g
Today,
swords are viewed as ubiquitous military armaments. However, in Early
Bronze Age Europe, these objects did not exist. Large-scale
close-quarters conflict rarely occurred, and there is evidence that
elsewhere in Europe ritualized duels involving halberds may have formed
part of dispute-resolution. Other tools such as spears and axes could be
pressed into service in a combat situation and had other uses. Swords
used large amounts of valuable bronze and were useless for hunting due
to a lack of reach. Their introduction as an object designed
specifically for use against other humans marks the growth of conflict
as a part of society.
Three main sword forms are known from
Mycenaean period Greece. Early variants had rounded tips and thin, long
blades measuring around 130cm. These straight-edged swords initially
arrived via Crete and were riveted to a wooden or ivory handle. Examples
from Staphylos and Mycenae show handles were occasionally inlaid with
gold leaf. Subsequent refinement of the weapon on the Greek peninsula
led to the development of integral bronze handles. Grave Circle A in
Mycenae contained several examples of gilded sword belts, used to
suspend these weapons from the warrior’s waist.
The second blade
type to arrive in Greece was a single-edged weapon, more suited for
close-quarters fighting. These pieces were again forged from a single
piece of bronze for stability. Single-edged swords have a hooked handle
suggesting they were hung directly from a belt.
Greek weapons were
revolutionized by the 1200 B.C. with the arrival of the slashing sword.
This design originated in Italy but then spread north into Britain and
Scandinavia, only reaching Mycenaean civilization centuries later. Known
as the Naue II type, these swords were markedly different from their
predecessors. The blades tapered gently to a point, which improved
thrusting ability. More significantly, the blades were shorter and some
had a heavier ‘leaf’ shape, allowing the weapons to be used in a
wide-arcing slashing style to cut through both armor and flesh. In the
Mycenaean armies, sword bearers were lightly armored infantry. Their
maneuverability made them suitable for undulating terrain and for
carrying out high-risk tactical movements. Such acumen earned
sword-bearers the title of promachoi, or champions.
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