11-11-2006, 12:34 AM
Gentlemen
This is a great thread. From memory a short curved style sword was in use by Byzantine sailors and is documented from the 9th C. Basilios Parakoimomenos (Naumachia, 5,5) writes, about the equipment of the fighting sailors: " ...spears (dorata) and curved swords (drepana), and arm protection (cheiropsella)...
In an agricultural context drepana (drepanon - s.) are curved sickles for cutting grain crops. Many curved islands or bays are given this name even in classical times. Here I can only use the english word cutlass to describe this but falchion may be just as suitable.
It is a pity the state of Byzantine archaeology is so fragmented. There must be some sword finds out there. Skylitzes seems to have a lot of slightly curved swords but I wonder if the Menelogion of Basil has any. I have only seen a few illuminations from this magnificent work.
This is a great thread. From memory a short curved style sword was in use by Byzantine sailors and is documented from the 9th C. Basilios Parakoimomenos (Naumachia, 5,5) writes, about the equipment of the fighting sailors: " ...spears (dorata) and curved swords (drepana), and arm protection (cheiropsella)...
In an agricultural context drepana (drepanon - s.) are curved sickles for cutting grain crops. Many curved islands or bays are given this name even in classical times. Here I can only use the english word cutlass to describe this but falchion may be just as suitable.
It is a pity the state of Byzantine archaeology is so fragmented. There must be some sword finds out there. Skylitzes seems to have a lot of slightly curved swords but I wonder if the Menelogion of Basil has any. I have only seen a few illuminations from this magnificent work.
Peter Raftos