Scimitars

Characteristics of the Cimitarra

The Cimitarra is an originally oriental saber. It is a very light and cutting weapon with a curved edge. Its length ranges from 55 cm to 1 meter. In addition, it is finished at the opposite end to the edge with a handle. To get an idea, it can be defined as a "sword turned in the form of a sickle".

The Scimitar was exceptionally tough and strong. It absorbed shocks easily due to the material with which it was made. For example, the so-called "Damascus steel". This material had a high carbon content, specifically 1.5 to 2%. This gave it this hardness and a unique beauty with wavy marks on the edge. Damascus steel was admired throughout the West. They even tried to imitate him, although with little success. In the Iberian Peninsula managed to develop a metal with characteristics similar to Damascus. This is the renowned "steel of Toledo".

The Scimitar had a perfect design to attack from the horse's mount. Since after the challenge, the blade was not embedded in the opponent. This allowed the warrior to keep advancing. It is said that he cut the enemy's body from the shoulder coming out of the waist. In the same way that he cut a silk handkerchief in half.

History of the Scimitarra

The name comes from the Persian word "shamsir", which derived from the Italian word "scimitar". The geographical and chronological origin of the Scimitar is much discussed today. There are those who place it in ancient Persia. Although it spread throughout the Middle East, from India to the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

Regarding the date, the moment of greatest diffusion of this sword was during the Middle Ages. In fact, it is the most characteristic weapon of the medieval Arab world. Associated on many occasions with the crusades between Christians and Muslims. It is at this moment when it already appears in pictorial representations.

The sword was not a simple weapon used in war, but was surrounded by a very prominent symbolism. Both in the Christian and Muslim tradition. For the kings and nobles of Christendom who warred against the Muslim, the sword symbolized the cross of Christ (crossing of the hilt with the edge). While for Muslims it is said that the semicircular shape of their sabers represented the crescent, and that therefore the sword itself symbolized the sacred weapon of Islam: the weapon of Allah.

Related historical figures

The most prominent historical figure with whom the Scimitar is associated is Salaheddîn Eyûbîen, better known in the Western world as Saladin. This character born in what is now Iraq, was the most important Muslim general in the Middle East in the second half of the twelfth century.

He was the protagonist of the wars of religion between Christians and Muslims for domination in the Holy Land, highlighting his victory against the Christians in the battle of Hattin. A fact that opened the doors for the conquest of Jerusalem. After the fact became known to the Christians, the man who was at the head of the Church at that time, Pope Urban III, summoned all the Christian kings to a new campaign against the Muslims: The Third Crusade.

It was at this time when the figure of Richard of England gained prominence, who would later be nicknamed "Lionheart". The Scimitar is a legendary sword that in addition to Saladin, has been associated with other characters such as Sandokan, a pirate originally from Southeast Asia protagonist of countless adventures against the British. Sinbad the Sailor also always used his scimitar sword.