Arabic Swords

ARABIC SWORDS

The Arab Swords are characterized by a peculiar design both in their straight or curved blades, as well as in their handles -with clear Arab symbology-.

The scimitar is an originally oriental saber, with a fairly light and very sharp curved edge. Its length ranges between 55 cm and 1 meter, and it is finished off at the end opposite the edge with a handle. To get an idea, it can be defined as a "sword turned like a sickle".

The scimitars were exceptionally hard and very strong, absorbing blows easily due to the material with which it was made, such as the so-called and famous "Damascus steel", which had a high carbon content, specifically 1.5 at 2%, which gave it this hardness and a unique beauty with typical marks of this type of forging, such as the undulations on the edge. Damascus steel was admired throughout the West and they tried to imitate it, although with little success. In the Iberian Peninsula it was possible to develop a metal with characteristics very similar to Damascus, it is the renowned "Toledo steel".

The scimitar sword had a perfect design to attack from the mount of the horse since after the thrust, the blade was not embedded in the opponent, which allowed the warrior to continue advancing. It is said that he cut the body of the enemy from the shoulder out through the waist, in the same way that he cut a silk scarf in half.

The name comes from the Persian "shamsir", whose word derived in the Italian word "scimitar". The geographical and chronological origin of the scimitar is much discussed today. As for its origin, 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, often associated with the crusades between Christians and Muslims. It is at this moment when it already appears in pictorial representations such as the one in the image below.

The sword was not a mere weapon used in war, but was surrounded by a symbolism that was very prominent in both the Christian and Muslim traditions. For the kings and nobles of Christendom who fought against the Muslims, 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 therefore the sword itself symbolized the sacred weapon of Islam: the weapon of Allah.

The most prominent historical figure with whom the scimitar is associated is Salaheddîn Eyûbîen or 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 12th century. He was the protagonist of the wars of religion between Christians and Muslims for dominance 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 was known by 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 that the figure of Richard of England, who would later be nicknamed "Lionheart", gained prominence.

The scimitar is a legendary sword that, in addition to Saladin, has been associated with other characters such as Sandokan, a pirate from Southeast Asia, the protagonist of countless adventures against the British. Sinbad the Sailor also always used his scimitar sword.