"khopesh." Topic

Really a rather strking variety of the sword, it seems to be the only model ever used by miniature figurines.

Is this accurate? What made the Khopesh an effective weapon?

AFAIK th kopesh was developed from a single edge blade, let into a handle to provide extra momentum/leverage when swinging it. Early copper and bronze weapons did not hold a point well, but were admirable for slashing. the all metal sickle shaped kopesk was developed from this. Note: the edge was on the ouitside of the blade, rather than the inside, like a sickle. They came in a variety of sizes from small to 2 handed. The rear of the blade was often flat (t chaped section) to avoid flexing. or was ridged both sides of the blade, for the same reason.

What Jarrovian says.

Yigael Yadin (The Art of Warfare in Biblical Lands*) says the word means 'foreleg of an animal' … and equates it with the Biblical expression to smite 'with the edge of the sword' (as opposed to stabbing, which you might do with a dagger or two-edged sword)

Phil
* recommended source for this period and generally not too expensive on the pre-owned market …

I second Yigael Yadin, just couldn't lay hands on my copy

It's kinda like a cross between an axe and a sword. Not a bad choice for the limitations of bronze.
-Kle.

As an interesting side note on Late Bronze Age swords, I have seen the theory put forth that part of the reason the "Sea Peoples" we're able to be so successful against the established powers of their time was that they had developed both a new style of sword and new tactics to go with it.

The sword was a long, straight, slashing sword, the tactics included new means of infantry attacking and defeating chariotry. This lead to both the dominance of the Sea Peoples and the demise of the chariot when coupled with better cavalry mounts and tactics also becoming available.

Having seen khopesh swords in museums I can attest that they seem a very good design for a chopping weapon. The curved shape of the blade means that a lot of force and weight will be concentrated on the point of impact. A curved blade is also less likely to get stuck in an opponent than a straight one when a slicing cut is performed.

I've never seen any evidence suggesting Sea Peoples infantry could attack and defeat chariots … (nor any contemporary references to what Sea Peoples' 'tactics' might have been) …

The obvious difference between khopesh and sherden swords is that the latter can cut _and thrust, rather than just cut.

Egyptian illustrations show Libyans as wielding the longest swords (and pretty hopeless against chariot archery) … Most native Sea Peoples seem to mix spear with smaller swords and daggers.

Mind you, Egyptian illustrations are not exactly objective sources …

Phil

I'm not saying I entirely agree with the theory. A lot of it seemed to stem from attempts to speculate on why the Sea People's were such note worthy opponents. "They must have done something right…" becoming "This is how they did it…"

I don't see how any sword would be much help against a skilled archer in a chariot.

I will note that Terry Gore's Ancient Warfare rules note that the Sea Peoples must have been tactical geniuses as nothing else would explain how an army of such poor troops could achieve success against the Egyptians and others. As this comment appeared in army lists for a wargame I have long speculated that perhaps the game model was inadequate as applied to the Sea Peoples. When a game constantly fails to give an historical outcome we should perhaps consider that it may be the game and not history which is wrong…

As for the khopesh, do we have any evidence as to why it went out of use? Betond the obvious adoption of iron and steel weapons putting bronze out of use generally?

the "Sea Peoples" we're able to be so successful

Numbers?

Whatever drove them to emigrate impacted on the Egyptians
(flood, famine, climate change) weakening them?

Yaweh & his Plagues of Egypt?

The curved edge mades a very good slashing weapon, similar to cavalry sabres, while the heft of the weapon puts a lot of force behind the blow. I would assume troops using it would need a fair amount of space leading to a more open formation than troops primarily armed with thrusting weapons.

Phil

A khopesh is one of the best blade-shapes for a bronze weapon. Plays to all of the strengths of bronze.

Iron/steel blades don't need to be in the shape of a khopesh for best performance, which is why I suspect the blade design went out of 'fashion'.