Swords

The sword was perhaps the first tool made for no other purpose than to kill men. It lacks the usefulness of an ax or a dagger, but its legacy of violence extends through millenniums of history.

All swords have a blade, with one or two cutting edges, attached to a hilt and handle that usually has a guard to protect the swordsman. The first swords were made of bronze, though they were quite short as the soft metal did not lend itself well to longer pieces. The Iron Age brought more efficient, more intricate swords and a great deal of variation.

Roman gladiators that fought in the Colosseum used short swords with pointy ends and two cutting edges. The Persians and Arabs used scimitars, curved swords with only one sharp edge. Medieval knights used both one and two handed swords. In the East, the slender curving blades of the Samurai are well remembered.

Highly personal weapons, swords were given great symbolic importance. Surrendering one's sword was recognized as a gesture of submission. The custom of revoking and breaking a disgraced officer's sword when he was dismissed from service arose because the sword was a symbol of an officer and a gentleman.

Though steel production wasn't truly understood (at the chemical level) until the Industrial Revolution, bladesmiths were making steel swords centuries before then. Damascus steel was highly sought after. It was known for the beautiful patterns the high carbon metal helped create and for the strength of the swords.

The sword continued to be used well into the Renaissance Era until it was gradually replaced by the gun. It is still used in numerous ceremonies.

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