List of Ancient Sword Types in World History [Updated]
While swords are not the oldest weapons in human history, they have many millennia of fascinating history in places like Egypt, the Ancient Near East, China, Greece, Rome, and other areas of Europe.
With the discovery of workable metals like bronze and iron, the sword quickly became the most popular weapon for cultures around the world.
The oldest swords in world history are now well known to us thanks to archaeological excavations and modern dating technologies. While they tell much about the metallurgical processes of people living in ancient times, the oldest swords in world history also shed light on the effects of military operations and trade networks on different populations and cultures.
The following are six specific sword types and more general categories of swords from long ago. They are some of the earliest examples of swords in human history.
1) Khopesh
(New Kingdom Period, Egypt)
The khopesh is one of the most recognizable weapons of the ancient Egyptians. The relatively short sword (20-24 inches) features a curved blade similar to a scimitar or sickle. The outside cutting edge of the blade makes it more similar to a scimitar, however.
The name khopesh means “foreleg of an animal” and the shape of the blade does mimic that of an animal’s leg.
The design of the khopesh was perfected and widely used during the New Kingdom period of Egyptian history. The Semitic people group known as the Hyksos took over Egypt during this period and their innovations can be seen in khopesh designs of the time.
While important to the New Kingdom era, earlier designs of the khopesh date back to around 3,000 BC. Egyptian pharaohs and their militaries utilized the khopesh in many battles, and famous pharaohs such as King Tut were often buried with the sword. King Tut was buried with two khopesh blades.
2) Egyptian Short Swords
(New Kingdom Period, Egypt)
Lesser known but no less important Egyptian swords were more generic short swords of the New Kingdom period. While the khopesh is a shorter sword, ancient Egyptians also utilized dagger-like swords with straight blades.
Swordsmiths cast short swords in one solid piece for added strength. Since these swords were crafted from bronze, they could break far easier than iron or steel swords and this method of production reinforced the blade and handle.
Another innovation of the Hyskos people, these short swords came a variety of lengths and styles for different fighting scenarios.
Short and dagger-shaped swords featured sharp points that proved deadly when fighting in close range.
Longer and flatter versions of the short sword also existed for slashing at further distances. These variations featured blades that tapered into more rounded shapes.
3) European Bronze Age Swords
(1400-1500 BC, Europe)
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Many cultures across central Europe and modern day Italy and Greece cast swords from bronze at the height of the Bronze Age (1400-1200 BC). While the designs of these blades differed depending on the culture that crafted them, bronze swords from this period were short and stocky with tapered points.
Swords made from bronze could not be too long or thin or they could easily shatter. A few examples of European Bronze Age swords feature thinner, rapier-like blades, but the majority were more stocky.
While shorter than swords of the Middle Ages and onwards, Bronze Age swords in Europe only weighed around one pound on average.
Designs originated in Greece and craftsmen throughout central Europe adopted the styles as swords and their owners traveled along trade routes.
Common design elements included bowl pommels and leaf-shaped tapers.
4) Vered Jericho Sword
(7th Century BC, Israel)
The Vered Jericho Sword is one of the oldest known steel swords in the world. The sword dates to the 7th century BC and is thought to have been a ceremonial sword. The sword measures 1.05 meters long and is double edged, with a ridge running down the center of the blade.
The most defining feature of the Vered Jericho Sword is its metal composition. The sword is made from iron hardened into steel and is an early and extremely innovative example of steel from the Ancient Near East.
5) Sword of Goujian
(Spring and Autumn Period, China)
The Sword of Goujian is a one-of-a-kind artifact and national treasure of China. The sword dates to the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history and was the sword of Goujian, who ruled the Yue region of Southern China between 496 and 465 BC.
This 2,500 year old sword was discovered in the ancient tombs of the Chu state in 1965 in an air tight container. Because of its careful storage, the sword is perfectly preserved.
The blade is untarnished and sharp enough to cut a stack of paper. It is one of the oldest and most well-preserved swords ever discovered.
Not only is the Sword of Goujian extremely old and extremely well preserved, it is also beautiful. The sword, which measures 55.7 centimeters in length and weighs 875 grams, features etchings on the surface of its blade and handle.
The Sword of Goujian is one of the earliest examples of a jian style sword. It was crafted by skilled swordsmiths of the Wu and Yue regions who discovered how to incorporate rust proof alloys into their blades. We have these master craftsmen to thank for the excellent condition of the Sword of Goujian today.
6) Spatha
(1st century, Roman Empire)
The Roman spatha was a staple of the Roman military and was used to expand the Roman Empire at the height of its power. The 1st century sword was crafted from steel and used one handed.
The double-edged blade of the spatha was longer than the relatively short gladius. The design of the spatha inspired swordmakers centuries later. Frankish and Viking swords of the Early and High Middle Ages were adapted from these deadly Roman weapons.
The spatha remains popular today, with hundreds of reproduction swords available on the market.