Which Historical Weapon Would You Bring To The Battlefield?

When and Where:The English longbow developed in the12th centuryIt was widely used in the Middle Ages.

How It Was Crafted:According toGerald of Wales, longbow staves used elm, not horn, ash, or yew. This made them astonishingly stiff, large, and strong, capable of long or short shooting. They used all these wood types.types of wood—especially yew—and string made from hemp or flax.hemp or flax. Longbows reached the archer's height, about five to six feet tall.five and six feet. Men could pull at least 100 pounds of force with each draw.one hundred poundsof force with each draw.

Role On The Battlefield:Longbows could penetrate armor up to 300 meters away. Longbowmen trained well; each could fire their bow up to 12 pulls a minute, creating a constant arrow barrage.twelve pulls a minute, creating a never-ending arrow attack.

Strengths:Some historians credit the longbow for English successes during the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453). Longbows were faster, lighter, and easier to make than crossbows. Archers needed less armor and shelter because they could stay far away.English successesduring the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453)

Weaknesses:Mastering the longbow required significant practice. Thus, King Edward III of England legally forced all men to practice archery in 1363.1363.

When and Where:As a weapon carried by Japanese samurai, the katana, a sword type, began during the Kamakura Period (1185-1333).Kamakura Period (1185-1333).

How It Was Crafted:The katana, like other Japanese swords, used two layers of steel made from iron and carbon. The softer inner core, the shingane, gave the sword resilience; a harder outer layer, the hadagane, formed the sharp edge.harder layer of steelThe outer surface, called the hadagane, provided the sharp, cutting edge. Shinto priests and blacksmiths made the katana to varied lengths for individual warriors; it was only sharp on one side of its curved blade.

The katana parts included a handle with a pommel, mounting, cover, and guard; a blade with markings or decoration; bolts to assemble it; a scabbard; and a hook for the belt.bolts to assembleit; a scabbard; and a hook to attach it to one's belt.

Role On The Battlefield:Katanas paired with a shorter wakizashi sword formed the basic samurai weaponry. This pairing was called the daisho, a sign of honor, distinction, class, and duty.daisho, a sign of honor and distinction as well as of class and obligation.

Strengths:Because the katana was shorter than a tachi sword, samurai could draw it from the scabbard faster. Well-trained samurai could pull their katana, edge up, and strike an enemy in one motion.

Weaknesses:Katana worked best when swung with two hands.with two hands. This made them hard to use on horseback or in other situations where only one hand was free.

When and Where:Bludgeoning instruments likemaces and clubsThe flanged mace added a new feature to the medieval period; these weapons appeared in the Byzantine Empire.This occurred by about 900 AD.Europe saw these maces become more common by the 12th century.

Crafting It:A flanged mace usually had six or seven wings.These wings sat at the head, sharpened to pierce armor.A pernach, another flanged mace type, gained popularity in Kievan Russia during the 12th century. Makers used iron or steel for the mace body and wood for the handle. Later, makers added gold and silver decoration as they got more complex toward the end of the Middle Ages.

Role On The Battlefield:Infantrymen and cavalrymen used maces, often holding them with a strap around their wrist.This strap kept the weapon from dropping on the field or from a horse.Strengths:

Flanged maces could penetrate plate and chain mail.They inflicted severe damage with one blow. Maces were easy to carry, simple to make, and useful in close combat. Cavalrymen could use them without getting off their horses.Weaknesses:Flanged maces lacked reach; they were only effective up close.

When and Where:Halberds became popular in Europe during the 14th and 15th centuries. They are closely linked with the Swiss. The weapon might also have German roots, possibly from the German words for staff (halm) and ax (barte).

Crafting It:Halberds were popular in 14th and 15th century Europe. They were closely associated with the Swiss.with the SwissIt may also be German. Its name might come from German words for staff (halm) and ax (barte).

Strengths:Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy (d. 1477), was reportedly slain by a Swiss soldier using a halberd.This soldier struck him down with a single blow. Because the weapon could be swung for leverage, it beat a simple sword or spear.Weaknesses:

If a halberd's staff broke, the soldier could switch to a hand ax, but the weapon lost its offensive power.When and Where:

The Mongols and other people of the Eurasian steppes had a long history of horseback archery. The Mongolian composite bow had its biggest global presence during the 13th century.Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy (d. 1477), used it.Crafting It:A Swiss soldier used a halberd to strike down an opponent.Role On The Battlefield:The soldier struck down the opponent with a single blow. Swinging the weapon increased leverage, making it better than a sword or spear.

WeaknessesIf a halberd's staff breaks, the soldier might switch to a hand ax. However, this loses the weapon's offensive power.

When and Where:Mongols and others on the Eurasian steppes had a long history of horseback archery. The Mongolian composite bow...composite bowThe Mongolian composite bow had its largest global presence during the 13th century.13th centuryGenghis Khan and his army swept across the world, conquering one of history's largest land empires.

How It Was Crafted:The bow used wood.Sinew, glue, and horn made up the rest of the bow.Layering, shaping, and waterproofing the materials took months or years to create the bow's C-shape arc. Once strung, the composite bow showed its rigidity and power with a curve above and below the handle.

Role On The Battlefield:Mongol shock-and-awe tactics required the bow to function while riding and walking.Mongol warriors fired arrows up to 500 meters.Arrows pierced armor and flesh. Attacks were more accurate at closer ranges.

Strengths:The composite bow's size allowed Mongols to carry it easily. They did not need to dismount to shoot, making these bows very useful. Mongols also used a thumb ring to draw the bow, stopping any shaky or uneven arrow release.

Weaknesses:Composite bows were strong but lacked the accuracy of other bows, like the longbows used by the Welsh and English in the 13th and 14th centuries. If a composite bow got wet or humid, it could break. The Mongols and their bows performed poorly in close combat.Humidity or getting wet ruined the bow.it could be ruined. The Mongols and their bows were far less dominant in close combat.

When and Where:As a weapon for Native Americans, the tomahawk gets its name from the Algonquin "tamahakan" - a tool with a stone head on a wooden handle. Native Americans used tomahawks for farming, ceremonies, and war, especially against Europeans in the 18th and19th centuries.

How It Was Crafted:Tomahawks started with a sharpened stone tied to a wooden staff, often with leather. Europeans copied the design, so tomahawks later began featuring metal heads. Tomahawks often were painted and decorated with feathers.painted and decorated with feathers.

Role On The Battlefield:A tomahawk served as anoffensive weapon, used to "knock men's brains out."

Strengths:Tomahawks were cheap and easy to make, using natural materials like stone, wood, and metal. They were easy to carry and very dangerous when used hard. The tomahawk offered intimidation.

Weaknesses:In hand-to-hand fighting, tomahawks worked well. They could not match gunpowder weapons.

When and Where:Crossbows appeared in China as early as the7th century BC, but became common weapons in Europe around the11th century ADforward. Ancient Greek and Roman fighters used them to some extent.Greek and Roman fighters, as well.

How It Was Crafted:The crossbow used wood, sinew, or horn.wood, sinew, or hornCrossbowmen added stirrups, levers, and similar tools. These allowed them to pull the string back harder and lock it before firing the bolt.

Role On The Battlefield:Crossbows let infantrymen shoot arrows with more power at enemies, castle walls, or any other target. During the First Crusade (1096-1099),Anna Comnena noted:

[H]e who stretches this warlike and very far-shooting weapon must lie, one might say, almost on his back and apply both feet strongly against the semi-circle of the bow and with his two hands pull the string with all his might in the contrary direction.

Strengths:Crossbows fired arrows with huge force. Comnena againobserved:

Discharging them, the string shoots the darts out with huge violence and force. Whatever these darts hit doesn't fall back; they pierce a shield, cut through a heavy iron corselet, and fly through the other side. This discharge of arrows is so violent and certain. An arrow like this has pierced a bronze statue. If it hits a large town wall, the arrow point either sticks out the inside or buries itself in the middle, lost. This is a monster of a crossbow, a devilish invention. The man struck by it dies without feeling anything, not even the blow, no matter how strong it is.

Weaknesses:Crossbows, especially early European ones, took longer to reload than regular bows. They could also feel heavy.The bolt could jam.It could fall out of place, and the string suffered from weather and damage.

Innovations, better designs, and more crossbows later in the Middle Ages let them dominate battlefields.They dominated battlefields.Crossbows held this position in the Middle Ages until gunpowder weapons made them obsolete.

When and Where:The gladius—orgladius HispaniensisThe gladius Hispaniensis, the "Spanish sword," was a Roman weapon. Tribesmen on the Iberian peninsula used it.Iberian peninsula tribesmenfrom the 2nd century BC onward.

How It Was Crafted:The gladius had a blade roughly 25 inches long. Iron made the sword, giving it cutting edges on both sides. A wooden handle and pommel counterweighted the weapon. Often, the 3-inch-wide blade was"waisted"" with a bit of a bulge in the middle.

Role On The Battlefield:Infantrymen used the gladius to fight close combat. Roman legionnaires carried a gladius in one hand and a shield in the other while advancing. The sword's size also let cavalrymen carry one.

Strengths:Roman historian Livy wrote about200 BC::

[Macedonian soldiers] used to fight with Greeks and Illyrians. They saw wounds from spears and arrows, and sometimes lances. Now, they saw bodies cut by the Spanish sword (gladius Hispaniensis), arms cut off at the shoulder, heads separated with the neck cut, or guts spilling out. Panic spread as they saw the weapon and the men they faced.gladius Hispaniensisarms lopped off at the shoulder, or heads separated from bodies with the neck cut right through, or entrails lying open, and other repulsive wounds, and there was general panic as they began to see what sort of weapon and what sort of men they had to fight.

Roman soldiers trained tostab rather than slash., which, along with the sword's short blade, stopped it from breaking in the heat of battle.

Weaknesses: As a thrusting weapon, the gladius had limited reach and worked poorly against cavalry.

When and Where:The war hammer had limited use; it may have beenused in EnglandWar hammers appeared as early as the 13th century. Spanish artwork shows war hammers during the later Middle Ages.

Crafting:The war hammer was a short-staffed weapon. It featured a flat hammer shape on one side and a pick on the other.hammerWar hammers involved attaching the steel head to a wooden or metal haft of different lengths. A long-handled war hammer was called a maul.

Role On The Battlefield:War hammers served many roles. They used hand-to-hand combat, pulling riders off horses, and striking enemies from atop horses. They could pierce plate armor, including thick helmets.

Strengths:War hammers worked well against increasingly strong iron armor. Even if they could not pierce armor, the hammer's force still caused damage.

Weaknesses:A war hammer might bounce off armor. Its main weakness was using it as a hand weapon. If dropped or lost, a fighter became very exposed.

When and Where:This two-handed weapon, also called the Dane ax, saw use during the 8th century AD.during the 8th century ADIt has roots in Viking Scandinavia.

Crafting:The Viking battleaxe included an iron head fastened to a wooden staff. The ax had one edge and came in two types. One was a skeggox, orbearded ax, had a blade that went down at the bottom - like a beard. The other type of Viking or Danish ax was a breidox or The other type of Viking or Danish ax was a breidox or. The broad ax had a decidedly triangular shape and was a later variation of the Viking weapon.

Role On The Battlefield:Vikings wielded axes, from Denmark or elsewhere, that brought terror to their raids. The Danish ax featured a handle longer than other hand axes, reaching five feet and used for slicing and chopping.

Strengths:When Vikings used their full power with their ax, it was a weapon that could remove limbs in one strike. Danish axes also worked against horses on the battlefield, as shown in theBayeux Tapestry's renderingof the Norman conquest of 1066.

Weaknesses:To use a Danish ax well, a soldier needed space and strength. It was inefficient if the user was forced into a tight or straight formation. Like other weapons with long staffs, they broke in the heat of fighting.

When and Where:The jian, also called the "sovereign of swords" and "gentleman of weapons", was one of many swords Chinese warriors used. The double-edged sword might have been bronze as earlyas the 2600s BCbut generally belongs to the later iron sword development.

Crafting:Jian swords are straight with a length determined by the person using it. The blade is roughly an inch wide, made out of iron or steel. Swordsmiths in China used both soft and hard steel to create a surface that was hard but able to handle damage when used. Traditionally, the four parts of a jian include a hilt - with a handle and pommel - a guard, a blade - with ridge, edge, summit, and tip - and a tassel at the end to both hold on to and distract one's opponent.

Role On The Battlefield:Using a jian was an art formin Chinese tradition. The blade of a jian made it an effective weapon for stabbing, slashing, and cutting on the offensive and defensive alike.

Strengths:The adaptability of a jian and its applicability to close fighting made it useful, as did its exceedingly sharp edges. It was also light, usually weighing 2 to 4 pounds.

Weaknesses: Like many swords, a jian could be expensive to make and required a lot of precise craftsmanship. Similarly, training was needed to use a jian effectively.

When and Where:Associated with the forces commanded by Philip of Macedonia during the 4th century BC, the sarissa is a long pikeused by both infantry cavalry.

How It Was Crafted:Philip gave his men sarissas that were approximately 13to 18 feet long and required both hands to use. The pike had a metal blade, a long wooden shaft, and a counterweight at the butt to help keep it steady when troops were on the move.

Role On The Battlefield:The sarissa proved incredibly effective against Greek hoplite troops. The pikes were able to reach their opponents before they had a chance to defend themselves. They similarly protected Macedonian infantrymen who, unlike hoplite formations, marched without shields.

Strengths:The length of the sarissa gave the Macedonians the advantage against enemies who were best-equipped for hand-to-hand combat. Sarissas were easy to make, especially given the large amounts of timber in Macedonia at the time. They could also be used to swat away incoming arrows, spears, and javelins.

Weaknesses:Sarissas were used by troops in the front of the Macedonia phalanx and, thanks to the counterweight, held up high by soldiers lined up in the back. It seems unlikely that troops in the middle of the phalanx would have been able to hold them, but this remains unclear.

Because sarissas could be cumbersome, they could be challenging to use in battle, ultimately slowing troopsdown.

When and Where:The term "rapier" was first used to describe swords worn by civiliansin Spain and may refer to a phrase that means "costume sword." This long sword became popular across Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries, especially among members of the elite.

How It Was Crafted:Rapiers feature a long, thin blade with hilts that include cups or intertwined metal rings to protect one's hand. The double-edged blade of a rapier is constructed out of steel,with wood, iron, or copper used for the hilt.

Role On The Battlefield:Rapiers served as dueling swords, built for personal defense, or they were used for decorative purposes.They were used decoratively.They were mostly thrusting weapons.These weapons thrust.They could also cut and slash when needed.

Strengths:The rapier felt lighter than broad or longswords. It made an ideal weapon for stabbing an opponent.The rapier allowed users to stab an opponent.

Weaknesses:Using a rapier demands skill and training. A rapier's length poses a danger to people nearby—an "offense to the eye." Queen Elizabeth I of England ordered the rapier's points shortened to under a yard in 1571.

The length of a rapier blade caused serious concern.Paradoxes of Defense, published in 1599, the author advised:

Rapiers longer than a man's true stature makes them too long or too heavy. They cannot keep the user safe from a blow or a thrust to the hand, arm, head, or face. Every true cross in the uncrossing puts the head or body or face in great danger of a blow or a full thrust.

When and Where:Some early versions of the zweihänder existed.These appeared as early as the 13th century.Several European countries made them. The zweihänder is usually linked to Renaissance-era Germany.Renaissance-era Germany.

How It Was Crafted:German literally means "two-hander." The zweihänder is a type of longsword. It also gets called the schlachtshwerter.schlachtshwerter or dopplehänderThe two-hander has a long hilt with a bigger cross-guard than a normal sword. This lets users place their hands and protect both.

Role On The Battlefield:Swiss and German soldiers used a zweihänder or a similar weapon to strike down adversaries carrying polearms at the Battle of Fornovo in 1495. King Henry VIII of England favored a two-handed sword.two-handed swordas didJames IV of Scotland. of Scotland.

Strengths:Zweihänders offered extended reach. They showed great force when strong, intimidating troops used them. Soldiers used them for one-on-one fights, defense, or protecting banners.

Weaknesses:Because they were heavy, only large, muscular soldiers could use zweihänders. They rarely saw use in the heat of battle.

When and Where:The macuahuitl was the Aztec warriors' main weapon. Its origins remain unclear. However, they used it long before Spanish conquerors arrived during the 16th century.originsThe origins are unclear. They were used before Spanish conquerors reached during the 16th century.

How It Was Crafted:A macuahuitl used wood with obsidian or flint blades on its sides. These weapons measured about 3 and a half feet long and were roughly 4 inches wide. People may have swung them with one or two hands.3 and a half feet longabout 4 inches wide, and may have been swung with one or two hands.

Role On The Battlefield:The macuahuitl was meant to subdue an opponent.subdue an opponentThis allowed the warrior to sacrifice the opponent later, though the weapon still killed people. Missionary Jose de Acosta stated that the macuahuitl wasJose de Acostathemacuahuitl wasThe macuahuitl was so fierce they claimed one stroke could chop off a head's horse, cutting right through the neck.

Strengths:The macuahuitl inflicted great harm and intimidated everyone at once. This weapon worked well for offense or defense.

Weaknesses:Some accounts say the macuahuitl was fragile and had limited use. A Spanish conquistador said this.Francisco Hernandez de CordobaHe described Aztec weapons as cutting a man in two with one chop, only if it was the first strike. All others failed. This shows the weapon's sharpness and fragility.

When and Where:South African tribes used the assegai. It is a long, wooden spear with an iron tip. Shaka (d. 1828), king of the Zulu tribe, used it during theearly 19th century, he reportedly told his men to carry only one assegai, so they would not hurtthe men behindthem fighting with several.

The javelin-type weapon existed before Europeans first mentioned it. It appeared after the Anglo-Zulu War of1879, awareness of theassegailikely grew much larger.

How It Was Crafted:An assegai might have been made foreach warrior individually. However, necessity sometimes meant they made them in large numbers too. Shaka Zulu changed the design by, but they could have been mass-produced out of necessity at times, as well. Shaka Zulu innovated the design,so it was easier to hold and would not break on a thrust.In both long and short forms, a metal blade attached to a long piece of wood—

perhaps from the assegai tree—used glue, bark, and animal hide.Role On The Battlefield:According to

accounts from the time, Shaka of the Zulu insisted, "Only one assegai was to be carried by each warrior. He said there was no throwing, but every warrior had to stab in close quarters." He added, "If a man breaks his assegai in a fight, he must grab the other man with his arms and fight for the one his attacker carried."Strengths:Using an assegai did not need much training since it fought well in close combat. Still, Zulu warriors practiced often and gained deep skill. For Zulu warriors, it held a meaning, showing their heroic spirit., Shaka of the Zulu insisted, "Only one assegai was to be carried by each warrior. He said that there was to be no throwing, but every warrior was to stab at close quarters." Carried alongside a dagger, "Should a man break his assegai when in conflict, he was to grip the other [man] with his arms and fight for the one carried by his assailant."

Weaknesses:Using an assegai did not need much training because it worked well in close fights. Still, Zulu warriors practiced often and built deep skill. For Zulu warriors, it also held a symbol, showing off their heroic nature.When and Where:from the early 20th century noted, "For the heart of the Zulu... places great trust in his assegai. Indeed it is in his assegai that the strength of a Zulu lies."

How It Was Crafted:The sai has four parts: the butt and handle, prongs, guard, and shaft.

The center of balanceThesai expandedThe sai moved from farming origins in Okinawa to a weapon used across Japan and Southeast Asia during the 17th century.

How It Was Crafted:The sai has four parts: the butt and handle, prongs, guard, and shaft.center of balanceThe sai sits just above the guard center where the prongs and handle meet. The blade tip is usually blunt, and the prongs often have a curve at the end.Brass formed the sai, but iron and steel became available later. People wrapped cotton or leather around the handle for a better grip.Iron and steel became available, and cotton or leather wrapped the handle for grip.

Role On The Battlefield: The sai acts as a defensive weapon. Users place the shaft along their forearm to absorb an enemy's weapon strike. They also use it to stab or strike an opponent or disarm them by trapping their weapons in its trident shape.The sai defends. You place the shaft on your forearm to take the hit from an enemy weapon. You can also use it to stab or strike someone or trap their weapons with its trident shape.The sai stabs or strikes an opponent, or disarms them by trapping their weapons in its trident shape.The sai can stab or strike an opponent or disarm them by entangling their weapons in its trident shape.

Strengths: The sai is light. You carry it on your body with other weapons. You can throw it at an enemy when needed.The sai is light. You carry it on your body with other weapons. You can throw it at an enemy when needed.

Weaknesses: Using the sai wrong can cause you injury. They offer no offensive use in a fight.If you use the sai wrong, you might injure yourself. They lack offensive uses in a fight.

When and Where: The kusarigama has several parts.With several parts, the kusarigama exists.The kusarigama.The kusarigama appeared during the late Muromachi period in Japan.Muromachi period in Japan.It existed between 1338 and 1573. Samurai warriors used this weapon less often.

How It Was Crafted: The kusarigama includes a sickle (kama), a chain (kusari), and a weight (fundo). The sickle was partly wood; the rest of the weapon was metal. Depending on the kusarigama's size and style, it was either a one- or two-handed weapon.The kusarigama.The kusarigama includes a sickle (kama), a chain (kusari), and a weight (fundo). The sickle was partly wood; the rest of the weapon was metal. Depending on the kusarigama's size and style, it was either a one- or two-handed weapon.The kusarigama includes a sickle (kama), a chain (kusari), and a weight (fundo). The sickle was partly wood; the rest of the weapon was metal. Depending on the kusarigama's size and style, it was either a one- or two-handed weapon.It was either a one- or two-handed weapon.It was either a one- or two-handed weapon.

Role On The Battlefield: The chain of a kusarigama could be swung overhead. It could be released to tangle an opponent's feet, hands, head, or weapons. The weight at the end of the chain or the sickle could be thrown to injure an enemy; the sickle also functioned as a hand tool for close combat.The chain of a kusarigama could be swung overhead.The chain of a kusarigama could be swung overhead, released to tangle an opponent's feet, hands, head, or weapons.The chain of a kusarigama could be swung overhead, released to tangle an opponent's feet, hands, head, or weapons. The weight at the end of the chain or the sickle could be thrown to injure an enemy; the sickle also functioned as a hand tool for close combat.

Strengths: The kusarigama has many uses. When used correctly, it works well for both offense and defense.The kusarigama has many uses. When used correctly, it works well for both offense and defense.

Weaknesses: Mastering a kusarigama needs a lot of training. Wrong use can cause a miss against an enemy or, sometimes, cause self-injury.Mastering a kusarigama takes a lot of training. Wrong use can cause a miss against an enemy or, sometimes, cause self-injury.

When and Where: The mere—also called a patu—was a club-like blade.The mere, also called a patu, was a club-like blade.The mere was a club-like blade.The mere was used by Maori groups. The mere predates European presence in New Zealand, and it was used in ceremonial and combat situations.The mere predates the European presence in New Zealand, and it was used in ceremonial and combat situations.It existed in New Zealand and people used it often.The mere was commonly used in ceremonial and combat situations.The mere was commonly used in ceremonial and combat situations.

How It Was Crafted: A mere could be made using different materials like whalebone, wood, or greenstone. Meres usually stretched about a foot long and had paddle-like shapes with sharp edges.A mere could be made using different materials like whalebone, wood, or greenstone. Meres usually stretched about a foot long and had paddle-like shapes with sharp edges.Meres usually stretched about a foot long and had paddle-like shapes with sharp edges.Meres usually stretched about a foot long and had paddle-like shapes with sharp edges.

Role On The Battlefield: The mere was meant for close combat. Users used it to swat or stab an opponent. They could also swing it sideways with force to decapitate an enemy.The mere was meant for close combat. Users used it to swat or stab an opponent. They could also swing it sideways with force to decapitate an enemy.The mere could be swung sideways with force to decapitate an enemy.

Strengths: Meres were small. Notches along the side meant they could be fatal with one blow. Meres made from greenstone were also incredibly beautiful.Meres were small. Notches along the side meant they could be fatal with one blow. Meres made from greenstone were also incredibly beautiful.Meres made from greenstone were incredibly beautiful..

Weaknesses: According to a European observer.According to a European observer.According to a European observer.Crafting a mere required the entire population's constant work for almost a year. People cherished this possession, but it offered few defenses, especially against European gunpowder technology.