Historical swords

WHAT ARE THE BEST KNOWN HISTORICAL SWORDS?

There are many historical swords that have been used throughout history, each with their own unique characteristics and stories.

One of the most famous swords is Excalibur, King Arthur's sword. According to legend, Excalibur was given to Arthur by the Lady of the Lake and was said to have magical powers. It was said that it could cut any object with ease and that it was unbreakable.

Another famous sword is Joyeuse , the sword of Charlemagne, the first Holy Roman Emperor. This sword was said to be made of the same materials as the Holy Lance and to have been blessed by Pope Leo III. It is said that it was used in many battles and never dulled its edge.

Another sword famous for its historical and cultural importance is the Honjo . Masamune . This sword was created by the famous blacksmith Goro nyudo Masamune in the 13th century. It was considered one of the best swords of its time, and many important figures in Japanese history were said to have owned it. It was said to have the power to bring good luck and to be able to cut through anything with ease.

Another sword famous for its historical and cultural importance is the Kusanagi -no- Tsurugi . This sword is said to have been found by the god Susanoo in the tail of a serpent, and is said to have been given to Japan's first emperor, Jimmu . It was considered one of the three sacred treasures of Japan and was said to possess the power to control the elements.

The Zulfiqar is another famous sword, believed to have been used by the Prophet Muhammad himself. It is said that the angel Gabriel gave him the Zulfiqar and that it was used in many battles. It was said that it could cut any object with ease and that it was unbreakable.

The Tizona sword was used by the famous Spanish warrior and national hero El Cid. The sword is said to have been made by the famous blacksmith Durandal and to have been blessed by the Virgin Mary. It is said that it was used in many battles and never dulled its edge.

The Sword of Saint Peter is another famous sword, believed to have been used by the Apostle Peter himself. The sword is said to have been given to him by Jesus Christ, and is said to have been used in many battles. It was said that it could cut any object with ease and that it was unbreakable.

These are just a few examples of the many historical swords that have been used throughout history. Each sword has its own unique characteristics and stories, all of which have played a significant role in shaping the world as we know it today.

THE MAIN TYPES OF SWORDS IN HISTORY

1. Excalibur

2. Joyeuse

3.Honjo _ masamune

4. Kusanagi - no -Tsurugi

5.Zulfiqar _

6. Blight

7. Sword of Saint Peter

Some types of swords include:

1. Katana : traditional Japanese sword

2. Sabre: a sword with a curved, single-edged blade

3. Scimitar: curved, single-edged sword, native to the Middle East

4. Broadsword: A sword with a broad blade and a double-edged point.

5. Claymore – A great two-handed sword from Scotland

6. Gladius – A short Roman sword used for thrusting

7. Falchion – A medieval sword with a curved, single-edged blade.

8. Cutlass – A short, curved sword used by sailors.

9. Epee – A fencing sword with a triangular cross section and a rigid blade

10. Long Sword: Medieval sword with a long, double-edged blade.

HISTORICAL SWORDS

All the reproductions of the swords of the most famous characters in medieval, Roman and Greek history. Section where you can find all the historical swords in natural, medium and cadet size you will find them in our Medieval Zetan store. Such as Templar, Masonic, Carlos V, Tizona, Catholic Kings, William Wallace, Colada, Robin Hood, Philip II, Great Captain, Duke of Alba, Carlos V, Pizarro, Glamdring or Jaime I swords among others.

-TIZONA SWORD OF MIO CID-

According to the Cantar del Mio Cid, the Tizona belonged to King Búcar of Morocco and was won by the Cid Campeador in Valencia after defeating him, and later handing it over (along with the Colada Sword) to his sons-in-law, the infantes of Carrión, for the link with their daughters. Some time later Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar would return, who returned it to his nephew Pedro Bermúdez.

The first reference appears in the Cantar de Mio Cid, where it was called Tizón, which comes from Latin; a synonym of "ember or burning log".

It had a black iron hilt and a two-edged blade. The page bears the inscription “IO SOI TISONA WAS DATED IN THE ERA MILE FORTY” and “AVE MARIA GRATIA PLENA DOMINUS TECUM”

-COLADA SWORD-

This sword belonged to the Count of Barcelona and was won in combat by Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar – El Cid Campeador – who gave it to his sons-in-law along with the Tizona. These being dishonored in public justice cancel the weddings with their daughters. He picks up the Colada sword again and hands it over to his knight Martín Antolínez.

The name of Colada is due to the "Cast steel" or what is the same, clean and absent of impurities. With it he frightened all unworthy opponents.

-SWORD CATHOLIC KINGS-

In the inventory of Carlos V's assets, it is described as "an old broadsword for knights with a plain, perforated pommel and a golden cross". It has a ceremonial character, with which the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella knighted Christopher Columbus, after his first trip to America. It is confirmed by the inventory known as the Valladolid Relation of 1558 and by that of the Royal Armory of 1594.

The sword of the Catholic Monarchs was used as a standard bearer in all the ceremonies, such as the investiture of the Knights, the swearing-in of the princes or in the triumphal entries of the monarchs in the cities.

-GREAT CAPTAIN SWORD-

Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba was a great military talent, impressively gifted, since he combined the infantry, cavalry and artillery relying on the naval. He knew how to move his troops strategically in order to lead the enemy to the most favorable terrain for conquest, hence the name "The Great Captain".

He was a very significant figure for the Spanish Army, he was loyal and brave. He created a soldier's code based on honor, love of country and religion, also on dignity, a sense of honor, stoicism and austerity. He was a loyal subject to the Catholic Monarchs who had a powerful and extensive reign.

ALEXANDER THE GREAT

Alexander III, King of Macedonia, went down in history as Alexander the Great. In just 10 years, he reigned over a territory that stretched from Greece and Egypt to India. He was undoubtedly an extraordinary military strategist. With him the so-called Hellenic era begins (IV-I century BC)

His father, Philip II of Macedonia, who had created a mighty hegemonic kingdom over the Greek cities, was very concerned about both his military training and Alexander's development in the world of culture, having Aristotle as his teacher in this chapter. Alexander inherited the kingdom of his father, who was killed in 336 BC, when he was only twenty years old.

Alexander the Great, whose courage and mastery cannot be disputed, used his early days as King of Macedonia to pacify the dominated peoples who had risen up after the death of his father, to then begin a campaign against the Persian Empire, thus prolonging the task that his father had begun shortly before his death.

Supported by a small army of 30,000 foot soldiers and 5,000 horsemen, Alexander won many battles, based on the training and discipline of his armies, as well as his skills as a leader and better strategist. His most important triumphs were the battle of Granicus, Issos, the siege of Tire and Gaugamela. He entered Susa and Persepolis victorious after hard fighting, thus ending the Persian empire and becoming master of practically all of Asia Minor. Once the capital of the Persians fell, he was appointed emperor, ending the Achaemenid dynasty. He then extended his conquests, incorporating Parthia, Aria, Drangiana, Aracosia, Bactria and Sogdiana into his already extensive domains. Without a solution of continuity, he attacked India, and took control of its western part, but there he had to stop due to the mutiny of a totally exhausted army.

Surprised by the level of culture of the Persians, Alexander had the idea of bringing together the Greeks and Persians in the same culture. He included Persian soldiers in his troops and prepared the wedding of the East with the West in Susa. Thousands of Macedonians married Persian women. Even Alexander himself took two oriental princesses as wives.

From the economic point of view the union was very fruitful. A huge market was created because of the monetary union. Commercial progress opened up in the face of antiquated economies. New roads and irrigated land were born. The use of Greek as a common language (koiné) was forced, and 70 new cities were created, most of them with the name of Alexandria.

Alejandro died at 33 years of age, due to malaria. He was still very young and did not have time to consolidate the empire that he had formed. This empire practically disappeared at the death of the Macedonian. In struggles for power he had been orphaned, his wives and children killed, and the empire divided among his generals. Seleucus , Ptolemy , Antigonus, Lysimachus, and Cassander.

THE SWORD OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT

Alexander's sword is the Greek Kopis, used since the 6th century BC, by the Macedonian and Greek army. It had a very sharp beak, and was a highly prized weapon for the cavalry, being a very effective sword in fighting on horseback. Much of Alexander's military success is due to the use of this weapon by his armies. There is a legend that says that the Kopis of the Macedonian king did not corrode or get damaged.

The kopis is a single-edged sword curved inward near the hilt. The size of the most primitive kopis has a length of about 65 centimeters, but in the time of Alexander the size is reduced to 48 cm. The shafts were made of wood or bone and their shape is J. The grip is thicker towards the guard, and rises slightly in the center. In this way an excellent grip is achieved and prevents it from slipping in the soldier's hand. This way of forging it allows the force of the blow to be centralized in the upper area of the edge. All this makes the kopis a perfect element for combat.

WHAT WAS THE SWORD OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT LIKE?

It is not known what Alexander's sword was like, as it has never been found. What is clear is that it was the same sword that his soldiers used, that is, the Greek Kopis. There are no testimonies that his sword had any special characteristics, although being the sword of a king, it is very possible that it had some engraving and some decoration to distinguish it from the sword of the troops. There are many replicas that, keeping the characteristics of the Kopis, accumulate different sizes, engravings, ornaments or inscriptions.

WHO WERE ALEJANDRO'S GENERALS AT HIS DEATH?

Alexander's generals at his death were Seleucus , Ptolemy , Antigonus, Lysimachus and Cassander, who undid the empire created by the Macedonian, dividing up the lands conquered throughout their military campaigns. They killed their wives and children, to eliminate competition at the time of their succession

WHAT DID ALEXANDER THE GREAT KEEP UNDER THE PILLOW?

Alexander was educated by Aristotle in the Hellenistic manner, and as such he read many books of the time. It seems that his favorite author was Homer, from whom he studied his best-known works, the Iliad and the Odyssey. Precisely one of these books, The Iliad, slept under his pillow when he was occupying Asia Minor.