difference between dacian and thracian swords

[diegis]

We have had this debate before, so I don't propose to repeat it here.....

And on Tropaeum Traiani there are at least the same number of dacians depicted with a falx, if not more then bastrnae (a germanic tribe with celtic influences).

Just for the record, there are three types of ethnic group depicted on the 'Adamklissi Tropaeum Traiani' - Dacians, Sarmatians and Bastarnae, all wearing distinctive types of clothing. Only Bastarnae are shown wielding the double-handed weapon called 'falx'.


The 'wagon fight', depicted on the Tropaeum with (almost certainly) Bastarnae wielding two-handed falx is also shown on the Column - so Bastarnae are probably depicted on the Column also ( along with other allies such as Sarmatians). The archaeological remains show that the 'single-handed' curved sword often called 'sica' is probably not related to the two-handed 'falx' - their shapes are quite different as is evident by looking at the photos above. As for "swords ( falx) given to Bastarnae", there is no evidence for this....you might as well claim that scale armour was "given to the Sarmatians". The weapons depicted on the base of the Column are in fact a 'Tropaeum' made up of a jumble of Dacian, Sarmatian, and Bastarnae weapons.

Yes, we had, and you didnt convinced me. I want to see images (there are pics with monument on the net or if you have others) where you can show me who's who there. Its more like a very debatable interpretation of some peoples, not something spread in mainstream history.

But until then lets look at what was discovered until now.
First, both Cornelius Fronto who use the name "Dacorum Falcibus" for dacian swords in his Principia Historiae and Publius Papinius Statius in hiw work called "Achilleis" where he said the "Falx" is representative weapon of the Getae, relate this kind of sword just with Dacians. There is no mention anywhere in ancient world who relate the sword with Bastarnae

As well, archeological findings of Falx are just in the middle of the Dacia (today Transylvania/Romania), in the interior of Carpathian Mountains arch, with an exception of one find in south of Danube (close to the river) in Moesia (teritory inhabited as well by Dacians (Getae more exactly). It was never find any curved swords (Falx or Sica) in any sites related with Bastarnae (which btw are mostly in today Ukraine or even Rep. of Moldova).

Falx was in my opinion just a development of a family of curved knives and short curved swords, and even the shape of some Sica (or even shorter knives) resemble in generaly the much bigger Falx. Falx apeared more likely after the first encounters with Romans (middle of I century BC) and their fighting style and equipment (big shields and armour) and was developed from an already know (similar or close) desing to by-pass that shield and armour .

This are some images of curved knives, Sica (who contrary to some believes doesnt have an exact standard of all exmplaires) and Falxes

First, some short battle knives of Dacians (there is a shield too)



Then Sica (from the teritories of today Romania, Bulgaria and even Serbia, former inhabited by Dacians, Getae (Dacians was a branch of Getae) or Moesii, (a Thraco-Dacian tribe)

http://www.enciclopedia-dacica.ro/armat ... a_pl_9.jpg

http://www.enciclopedia-dacica.ro/armat ... a_pl_2.jpg

http://www.enciclopedia-dacica.ro/armat ... a_pl_8.jpg

http://www.enciclopedia-dacica.ro/armat ... _pl_10.jpg

http://www.enciclopedia-dacica.ro/armat ... _pl_13.jpg

http://www.enciclopedia-dacica.ro/armat ... a_pl_9.jpg

This are from Traian Column



This are signs and incisions make on many Sica blades



And this are the images of Falx blades finded until now (again, just in inner Carpathian Dacia and in or close to capital Sarmisegetuza). On one of the swords (second from top in the left) is an incision sign as ones find on some Sica's

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/9814/sabiifalx.jpg



On that roman coin a female representing Dacia can be observed as well handling a two handed Falx


And this is the article of that historian about Falxes, with dimensions and descriptions (it have a smaller part in english too)

http://www.scribd.com/doc/33876270/Bora ... bus-I-2009