Clash of The Empires

In the Viking Age a number of different types of weapons were used: swords, axes, bows and arrows, lances and spears. The Vikings also used various aids to protect themselves in combat: shields, helmets and chain mail. The weapons that Vikings possessed depended on their economic capacity. Whereas swords were the costly weapons of the elite, axes and lances were affordable to the warriors of the broader population. There are, however, variations in the preservation of the various types of weapons and equipment. For instance, relatively large numbers of swords and axes have survived until today, whilst finds of helmets and chain mail are extremely rare.

The Spartan’s Primary Weapon: The Dory
The Spartan warriors primary weapon was a spear called a dory. Accounts of its length vary but it is typically believed to have been between 7 to 9 feet (2.1 - 2.7 meters) in length. The spear was held one handed, either over or underhand, perhaps depending on the situation, while the other arm was used to hold up the shield. At the business end there was a bronze or iron curved leaf shaped spearhead with a long, cylindrical socket in which the shaft was placed. Whether iron or bronze was more typical for a Spartan spear point remains an open question. The shaft itself was of cornel wood, selected due to the strength of this wood. Interestingly the wood from this tree is so dense that it actually sinks in water and the name of the tree became synonyms with spears in Greek poetry. Leather would then be wrapped tightly around were the Spartan gripped the spear, obviously for a better grip. The butt of the spear was capped with a butt spike called a sauroter, Greek for ’lizard killer’. This spike had several uses. It could be used to stand the spear up or used as a secondary weapon if the spearhead was broke off. Additionally, any enemies that had fallen could be dispatched by the warriors marching over them in the back ranks of the phalanx who were holding there spears in a vertical position. Of course the sauroter could be used to dispatch lizards as well! Sauroters could have been bronze or iron; perhaps the most typical spear featured an iron head and bronze sauroter.

Spartan Swords – Short &Deadly
Spartan hoplite warriors also carried a short sword called a xiphos. This secondary weapon would have been employed if the crush of battle rendered a hoplites spear useless or if it was broken. Among most Greek warriors this weapon had an iron blade of about two feet (.6 m), however the Spartan version was typically only 12-18 inches. The Spartans shorter weapon proved deadly in the crush caused by colliding phalanxes formations were it was capable of being thrust through gaps in the enemies shield walls and armor were there was no room for longer weapons. The groin and throat were favorite targets of the tenacious Spartans.

In one account an Athenian asked a Spartan why his sword was so short and after a short pause he replied, “It’s long enough to reach your heart.”

The Kopis – The Nasty Spartan Weapon
As an alternative to the xiphos some Spartans selected the dreaded Kopis as their secondary weapon. This was a vicious hacking weapon in the form of a thick, curved iron sword. Warriors would use this weapon more as an axe then a sword, inflicting nasty wounds compared to the cleaner holes made by the spear and xiphos. This weapon was seen as the quintessential "bad guys" weapon in ancient Greece. Athenian art frequently depicted Spartan warriors with this weapon for that reason.

The Old Bashing Shield
The main purpose of the Spartan shield was defensive; however Spartans also used it to bash their opponents. This could be to stun them, knock them down or get some room to use another weapon. The shield could also be used as a killing weapon outright, its weight and thin edge making it a superb blunt weapon. The hoplite shield, or aspis (although it is commonly called a ‘hoplon’), was heavy, weighing about 30 pounds. They were constructed out of wood with an outer layer of bronze. Due to its defensive nature, Spartans using it as a weapon could gain the advantage of surprise. Being clubbed to death by heavy shield may have even been more unpleasant then being hacked apart by a Kopis!

Prussian Musket M1723 / M1740: This weapon was the first standardized musket produced in Potsdam and replaced similar weapons, previously supplied by the Henoul factory in Liège. The extreme barrel length was due to the misconception that accuracy of the projectile was a function of the length of the barrel.
Overall length 1434 mm
Length of barrel 1037 mm (this had originally been 1150mm and has already been shortened)
Calibre 18,3 mm
Ball diameter 16,5 mm
Length of the flintlock plate 178 mm
Muzzle Velocity 305-320 m/s (est. from 165 grains powder, 16,5 mm ball)
Weight 4420 grammes
Legend 1 - Schlossschraube (lock screw)

Prussian Pistol M1722: Prior to 1722, officers were expected to provide their own weapons and equipment; many carried pistols made by Francois Henoul of Liège. From this date, Frederick opened the arsenal in Spandau, west of Berlin. All weapons produced in Spandau still bore the 'POTSDAMMAGAZ' and 'S&D' marks and the crowned cipher 'FR' on the thumb plate.
Overall length 540 mm
Length of barrel 353 mm
Calibre 16,5 mm
Length of the flintlock plate 138 mm

Prussian Pistol M1731:All mounted Prussian officers carried a pair of pistols; from 1731 this became their standard weapon.
Overall length 480 mm
Length of barrel 290 mm
Calibre 16,8 mm
Length of the flintlock plate 140 mm
Edged Weapons

Bayonets

Prussian Infantry Sabre M1715: Standard Saber for Prussian Infantry
Overall length 739 mm
Length of the blade 579 mm
Width of the blade 32 mm
Height of the curve 12 mm

Prussian Artillery Pallasch Type I: A Large Sword for Artillery handler when out of reach for a Rifle or Pistol

Prussian Grenadier NCOs' Partizan M1755: A Short sword for NCOs

Prussian Infantry Officers' Sword M1740: On both sides of the base of the blade is an oval brass plug bearing the Prussian eagle, under this, along the blade is 'BERLIN', between small diamond-shaped markings. The grip of the gilt hilt is wound with gilt wire. The sword strap is silver with two black stripes, the tassel is of silver and black threads.

Katana
Japan's most famous weapon needs little introduction. Japanese blacksmiths' method of repeatedly heating and folding the steel made a katana's sharpness and strength unique among the world's swords. Strong enough to be used defensively but sharp enough to cut through limbs, the katana earned the reputation as the soul of the samurai – a reputation that lasted long after the samurai abandoned the sword for the pen.

Tekkan and Hachiwari
At first glance, the tekkan and hachiwari may not look impressive. The dull, heavy blades served as striking weapons made for hitting armor-clad enemies with maximum impact. Sergei Mol explains, "The tekkan was specifically developed (for use) against opponents wearing armor and is therefore necessarily heavy so that it can be used against the armor's weak points."

Also dull and heavy, hachiwari resemble the tekkan but employ a short hook at the base which may have been used to hook an opponent's armor or to gain leverage to pry the armor apart. Instead of the katana's deadly finesse, the tekkan and hachiwari aimed for heavy-handed disarmament.

KAMA
According to legend, the kama started out as a farming implement, used to cut grass and crops. However, Don Cunningham believes that the kama evolved from the jingama, a similar sickle used for clearing campsites. Either way, the weapon gained popularity among low-ranking bushi and could be used for cutting and slashing.

MANRIKI-KUSARI
n battle, a user could shorten his grip and tailor the length as a situation called for. Once in motion, a manriki-kusari moved at speeds that rendered it invisible. An experienced practitioner could swing the chain around himself to keep opponents at bay. Thanks to its weighted end, the manriki-kusari doubled as a projectile; its metal weight could be thrown to strike opponents. Yet unlike other throwing weapons like darts or knives which had to be retrieved to be used again, the manriki-kusari's weight returned to the hand of its wielder via its attached chain.

YUMI
The original samurai weapon, the Japanese bow has a long and storied history. Isolation from other cultures allowed Japan to develop its own unique archery tools and techniques.

ONO
Japan's stone axes predate those of iron and steel and made ono a preferred weapon of Japan's ancient yamabushi or warrior monks. "The yamabushi used these pole-axes (some six feet tall) in the thick of battle, whirling them around at varying heights; or in individual encounters."

There were three main weapons used by the Roman soldiers, each serving its own purpose. For long distance combat, a pilum was used. This was a long javelin, known for being fairly lightweight. It was roughly seven feet long, the last three feet being made of the iron point. The secondary weapon was the gladius, or short sword, from which the word 'gladiator' came from. The gladius was a short sword, roughly 18 inches long and double-edged. This could be used for close-range combat. As a last resort, there was the pugio, a small 7 to 11 inch dagger, used only if all other weapons were not available.

Bow and Arrow
The main weapon used by the ancient Egyptians was the bow and arrow.
At first they used simple wooden bows but eventually, when introduced by the Hyksos, started using composite bows which were made of different materials. These bows were more flexible than wooden bows allowing for arrows to be shot further and faster.
The bow and arrow was used by both foot soldiers and by soldiers on chariots. The speed of the chariots combined with the long range capability of bows and arrows made for a dominate weapon on ancient battlefields.
Early on arrowheads were made of stone or obsidian (a volcanic glass), later on bronze was used followed by iron around 1000 BC.

Chariot
The chariot was introduced into Egypt by their enemies the Hyksos, who at one point conquered lower Egypt.
The war chariot was an important military vehicle for ancient Egypt.
The Egyptians improved the chariot design of the Hyksos making their chariots lighter and faster.
Chariots were usually manned by two warriors; a driver and a second warrior who would use weapons such as a bow and arrow, axe, spear or a sword.

Spear
The spear, initially used for hunting, was used as a weapon starting in the earliest days of ancient Egypt.
The spear can be used for throwing or thrusting; however when the Egyptians started utilizing bows and arrows the spear was mainly used as a thrusting weapon.
The material used for spear heads progressed through the years from stone and obsidian, to bronze, and then to iron.
Warriors on chariots would often keep a spear with them so as not to be weaponless when they ran out of arrows.

Sling
Slings were simple weapons consisting of a strap used to hurl rocks or metal balls.
This was not the weapon of choice for warriors but was utilized when no better weapon was available.

Throwing Sticks
Throwing Sticks were one of the earliest weapons used by the ancient Egyptians.
This weapon was simply a short stick or club that was thrown at the enemy.
The ancient Egyptians also used throwing sticks for hunting; in fact the famous King Tutankhamun was known to use them for duck hunting.

Axes
There were two types of axes used by ancient Egyptian warriors, the cutting axe and the piercing axe.
The cutting axe had a long handle enabling the warrior to attack an enemy from a safer distance than a shorter weapon. This type of axe was most effective against enemies wearing little or no armor.
The piercing axe was developed later than the cutting axe and was designed to penetrate through armor.

Swords
The ancient Egyptian warriors used a sword called a Khopesh. There were several different styles of this sword used some with curved blades and hooks that could be used to pull down an opponent’s shield.
The typical sword was about two feet long.