Swords
(128)The sword is one of the oldest weapons, its origin dates back to the Bronze Age. Across history and cultures, it had varying lengths and shapes, was simple or decorated. The sword was a personal weapon of every owner, for whom it had a special meaning as a symbol of power, law, family emblem. The sword was an expensive affair, so not everyone could afford it. The wealthier the owner was and the higher his position, the more elaborate and more decorated his weapon was, the overall completeness of his position as well as his birth rate.
In every culture, the sword has a certain meaning, it was a symbol of war and peace, it served a ceremonial function in the coronation, in passing - promotion to a higher status and often served as an instrument of executioners. European swords were straight, the classic straight sword for chopping and stabbing such as the Viking sword, the two-handed Scottish sword, the Roman sword Spatha, later lightened with a narrow blade sword Rapier and Sword for stabbing, sword with a curved blade - saber, often used for cutting and chopping. The Oriental swords of Persia and India had a more or less curved blade, adapted to their way of fighting. The famous Japanese katana swords with a slightly curved blade come from the Far East.
The quality of the swords consisted of steel processing and the master blacksmith himself, the sword with the Damascene blade was one of the highest quality. It so happened that masters kept the methods of steel production secret, and many legends arose as a result.
With the advent of firearms, the sword receded and today serves more as a ceremonial weapon, a supplement to a ceremonial uniform, a decorative sword for the home or office, a film sword, a sword for historical fencing or a sword for various martial arts.