What weapons were used in ancient times? Unusual types of ancient weapons. Use of sulfur dioxide

In the history of the development of weapons, there were many rather strange and unusual specimens, which, although not so universally, were quite successfully used in battle, like the more common swords, daggers, spears, axes, bows and much more. We will talk further about little-known and unusual weapons of antiquity.

Yawara

It is a wooden cylinder, 10 - 15 centimeters long and approximately 3 centimeters in diameter. Yawara is wrapped around the fingers, and its ends protrude on both sides of the fist. It serves to make the blow heavier and stronger. Allows you to strike with the ends of the ends, mainly in the centers of nerve bundles, tendons and ligaments.

Yawara is a Japanese weapon that has two appearance versions. According to one of them, the Japanese brass knuckles are like a symbol of faith, which was an attribute of Buddhist monks - vijra. This is a small shaft, reminiscent of an image of lightning, which the monks used not only for ritual purposes, but also as a weapon, since they needed to have it. The second version is the most plausible. An ordinary pestle, which was used for pounding cereals or seasonings in a mortar, became the prototype of the yawara.

Nunchaku

It consists of sticks or metal tubes about 30 cm long connected to each other using a chain or rope. The prototype of homemade weapons was the flails used to thresh rice.

In Japan, threshing flails were considered tools of labor and did not pose a danger to enemy soldiers, so they were not confiscated from the peasants.

Sai

This is a piercing bladed bladed weapon of the stiletto type, outwardly similar to a trident with a short shaft (maximum one and a half palm widths) and an elongated middle prong. The traditional weapon of the inhabitants of Okinawa (Japan) and is one of the main types of Kobudo weapons. The side teeth form a kind of guard and can also perform a damaging role due to sharpening.

It is believed that the prototype of the weapon was a pitchfork for carrying bales of rice straw or a tool for loosening the soil.

Kusarigama

Kusarigama (kusarikama) is a traditional Japanese weapon consisting of a sickle (kama) and a chain (kusari) that connects it to a striking weight (fundo). The location where the chain is attached to the sickle varies from the end of its handle to the base of the kama blade.

Kusarigama is considered to be a medieval ninja invention, the prototype of which was an ordinary agricultural sickle, which peasants used to harvest crops, and soldiers used to cut their way through tall grass and other vegetation during campaigns. There is an opinion that the appearance of the kusarigama was determined by the need to disguise weapons as non-suspicious objects, in this case an agricultural implement.

Odachi

Odachi (“big sword”) is a type of Japanese long sword. To be called an odachi, a sword must have a blade length of at least 3 shaku (90.9 cm), however, as with many other Japanese sword terms, there is no exact definition of the length of an odachi. Usually odachi are swords with blades 1.6 - 1.8 meters.

Odachi completely fell out of use as a weapon after the Osaka-Natsuno-Jin War. The Bakufu government passed a law according to which it was forbidden to have a sword over a certain length. After the law went into effect, many odachi were trimmed to conform to the regulations. This is one of the reasons why odachi are so rare.

Naginata

Known in Japan at least since the 11th century. Then this weapon meant a long blade from 0.6 to 2.0 m long, mounted on a handle 1.2-1.5 m long. In the upper third, the blade expanded slightly and bent, but the handle itself had no curvature at all or was barely outlined. At that time, they worked with naginata using wide movements, holding one hand almost at the very blade. The naginata shaft had an oval cross-section, and the blade with one-sided sharpening, like the blade of the Japanese yari spear, was usually worn in a sheath or sheath.

Later, by the 14th-15th centuries, the naginata blade was somewhat shortened and acquired its modern shape. Nowadays, the classic naginata has a shaft 180 cm long, onto which a blade 30-70 cm long is attached (60 cm is considered standard). The blade is separated from the shaft by a ring-shaped guard, and sometimes also by metal crossbars - straight or curved upward. Such crossbars (Japanese hadome) were also used on spears to parry enemy blows. The blade of a naginata resembles the blade of an ordinary samurai sword; sometimes this is what was mounted on such a shaft, but usually the blade of a naginata is heavier and more curved.

Qatar

The Indian weapon gave its owner wolverine claws; the blade lacked only the strength and cutting ability of adamant. At first glance, the katar is a single blade, but when the lever on the handle is pressed, this blade splits into three - one in the middle and two on the sides.

Three blades not only make the weapon effective, but also intimidate the enemy. The shape of the handle makes it easy to block blows. But it is also important that the triple blade can cut through any Asian armor.

Urumi

A long (usually about 1.5 m) strip of extremely flexible steel attached to a wooden handle.

The excellent flexibility of the blade made it possible to wear the urumi concealed under clothing, wrapping it around the body.

Tekkokagi

A device in the form of claws attached to the outside (tekkokagi) or inside (tekagi, shuko) of the palm of the hand. They were one of the favorite tools, but, to a greater extent, weapons in the arsenal of the ninja.

Usually these "claws" were used in pairs, in both hands. With their help, it was possible not only to quickly climb a tree or wall, hang from a ceiling beam or turn around a clay wall, but also with high efficiency to resist a warrior with a sword or other long weapon.

Chakram

The Indian throwing weapon “chakra” may well serve as a clear illustration of the saying “everything ingenious is simple.” The chakra is a flat metal ring, sharpened along the outer edge. The diameter of the ring on surviving specimens varies from 120 to 300 mm or more, width from 10 to 40 mm, thickness from 1 to 3.5 mm.

One way to throw chakram was to spin the ring on the index finger, and then with a sharp movement of the wrist throw the weapon at the enemy.

Skissor

the weapon was used in gladiatorial combat in the Roman Empire. The metal cavity at the base of the scissor covered the gladiator's hand, which made it possible to easily block blows and also deliver his own. Scissor was made of solid steel and was 45 cm long. It was surprisingly light, which made it possible to strike quickly.

Kpinga

A throwing knife used by experienced warriors of the Azanda tribe. They lived in Nubia, a region of Africa that includes northern Sudan and southern Egypt. This knife was up to 55.88 cm long and had 3 blades with a base in the center. The blade closest to the hilt was shaped like male genitals and represented the masculine power of its owner.

The very design of the kpinga blades increased the chances of hitting the enemy as hard as possible upon contact. When the owner of the knife got married, he presented the kpinga as a gift to the family of his future wife.

The need for weapons has arisen among people since ancient times. The first guns served not only for economic needs, but also performed a defensive function. Therefore, from the earliest times, people tried to improve their weapons in a variety of ways, finding more and more ways to injure or destroy the enemy.

And sometimes the resulting weapon simply amazes our imagination. In this article we will tell you about ten ancient and unusual types of edged weapons. Happy reading!

Khopesh (or khopesh)

Translated from the ancient Egyptian language, the word “khopesh” means the leg of a large animal.

This type of weapon first appeared in Ancient Egypt. Its two components - the sickle and the handle, in total, were about sixty centimeters long. The blade most often had both internal and external sharpening. The wounds left by the khopesh were similar to saber wounds.

These types of weapons were very significant during the wars in the Middle East, about two thousand years before Islam appeared in the world. The beginning of the seventeenth century to the present century in Egypt was marked by the extensive use of new technologies in the manufacture of weapons. And the most “advanced” khopesh in this regard received the status of a symbol of the New Kingdom. But weapons began to lose their relevance only after three hundred years.

The warriors who used it gave it a second name - liquid fire. This medieval weapon implied the complete destruction of the opponent, leaving him no chance of salvation. The first use of Greek fire dates back to naval battles by the Byzantines.

The mixture itself was “invented” in six hundred and seventy-three. The discovery belonged to the Syrian architect Callinicus. Moreover, he also created a specific device for throwing fire called a “siphon.” It was a copper pipe through which, using compressed air or bellows, volleys of Greek fire were pushed out.

The peculiarity of this fire brought him fame - eyewitnesses claimed that the flames could not be extinguished; the Greek fire continued to blaze even on the surface of the water.

It is interesting that, despite the in-depth study of such an unusual phenomenon, today the composition of “liquid” fire is still unknown, which suggests that the Byzantines very carefully kept the secret of its production, and, perhaps, took it with them to non-existence.

Scythe Chariot (or Sickle Chariot)

Quite an ancient chariot, actively used in battles by Persia, Ancient Rome and the tribes of the Sahara in the last century BC.
This type was distinguished from similar ones by numerous blades, about a meter long, on all sides of the wheels. They performed several functions - from simply intimidating and inducing panic, to destroying everyone in the immediate vicinity. It was harnessed by four horses, and the crew consisted of only three - a charioteer and warriors.

They were created and first used by the Persians, in the period from approximately four hundred sixty-seven to four hundred and fifty-eight BC. They brought Persia irreplaceable experience in fighting Greek heavy infantry.

An ancient Aztec weapon, resembling a simple sword in appearance and properties.

The length of the macuahutla was usually from one hundred to one hundred and twenty centimeters. Along the blade, which was usually made of wood, craftsmen attached sharpened pieces of obsidian. The result was that the wounds inflicted by the macuahatl were simply terrible. This was also due to the extremely sharp edges of the weapon; this could be confirmed by the fact that the Aztecs often simply beheaded their opponents. The notches tore the flesh with incredible ease, bringing unbearable torment.

The interesting thing is that macuahutla remained relevant for quite a long time. This can be seen from the records left about her in different years. For example, the most recent note about such a cruel weapon was written already in one thousand eight hundred and eighty-four. That is, even in the nineteenth century, people showed interest in macuahutla.

Translated from German, the weapon sounds like “morning star.” Morgenstern was used as a pommel for clubs. It looked like a metal ball, “decorated” on all sides with sharp long spikes. Its weight was approximately one and a half kilograms.

There are several subtypes of this weapon. The chain one was distinguished by the fact that it was attached to the handle using a chain. However, while it made injuries inflicted on the opponent more dangerous, it also had its drawbacks. This manifested itself in the inconvenience of wearing it.

And the infantry morning star gained popularity among the Swiss infantry in the mid-fifteenth century.

Ranged weapons made in India. It looks like a ring, pointed on the outside. The diameter ranges from one hundred twenty to three hundred millimeters. Chakras were brought into combat action by rotating along the axis of the middle finger and launched at the enemy. This type of weapon hit the enemy at a distance of up to fifty meters, and is capable of causing severe injuries to unarmored opponents. For the first time, a certain navigator Duarte Barbosa described this weapon in his writings. He described its combat action in great detail, as well as its form and advantages. According to legend, Indian gods took part in the creation of the chakra, and it was they who cut off the head of the powerful demon Jalamdhar.

A type of Chinese edged weapon. Also, these blades are known as “tiger head twin hooks”. The impressive part of the shuangou is a steel strip, and it ends with a hook, and the other end is pointed. In the area where the handle is located, a guard is attached using a double fastening, its shape is close to the Moon, the sharpened ends of which are directed outward. This weapon was more common for use in two hands. The main strength of the shuangou lay in slashing blows, as well as hooking. There was also a way to connect two blades to increase the affected area and distance. This weapon received wide publicity with the help of the character Cabal in the famous series of fighting games “Mortal kombat”.

A melee weapon ethnically originating from Japan. The design is similar to a sickle called “kama”. An impact load is attached to it using a chain. The handle of the sickle reaches about sixty centimeters, and the length of the blade is about twenty centimeters. The blade is located perpendicular to the shaft, and is sharpened on the inside, and its end is a sharp continuation. The chain is attached to the diametrical end. Kusarigama combat tactics involve inflicting damage with a weight, or disorienting an opponent with a chain, and delivering a finishing blow with a sickle. Also, the design of the weapon made it possible to throw Kusarigama, and then return it using a chain. This practice was effective in the defense of fortified objects.

Throwing weapons created by the peoples of Africa. It represents all kinds of knives or blades that have an original shape. It was mainly used in hunting and in battles, and also personified the power and social status of a person. Served as a means of cash. It is believed that lightning was produced more than three thousand years ago. Its analogue is a boomerang. Iron options were not common due to the extensive work on metal; the main material was wood. Kpings were used to defeat the enemy from a short distance. The vertical layout of the weapon made it possible to deliver ricocheting blows if it came into contact with the enemy’s shield, and because of this, it was more prudent to dodge or jump away from the kpinga than to rely on the strength of the shield or armor.

European travelers were unable to give a clear opinion about such weapons. There is even a reliable fact that kpinga was used for its intended purpose only in emergency cases, due to the fact that there was significant fear of losing such an expensive attribute. However, it was also unusable as a melee weapon, which is why in the end the weapon began to have only a symbolic character.

Kakute is a ring with several spikes. They gained their popularity during the Middle Ages, and even captured the Renaissance.

Many of the Europeans who used these rings applied poison to the thorns, which increased the risk of damage from kakute several times. And if we take into account the fact that they were rarely put on one at a time, the enemy had almost no chance.

If the thorns were clean, then the caquets were used mainly for capturing, and not for killing, since without poison, it is very difficult to inflict serious damage with them. It was this property that made the rings popular among police officers after the sixteenth century.

Today, various versions of kakute are less relevant and in demand; they are increasingly used as decorations rather than weapons.

Humanity has always waged and will continue to wage war. And in order to fight, he needs weapons. Each nation had its own, which made their armies unique. Here is a list of ten of the most unusual ancient weapons.

Patu (Mere)

Patu - was used by the Maori tribe from New Zealand as a hand-to-hand combat weapon, as well as for ceremonial purposes. On average, Patu was 35 cm long and was usually made of jade. For the Maori tribe it was a spiritual weapon. They simply called it “club” or “stick” and passed it on from generation to generation.

Shuangou (HookSwords)

Perhaps the most famous weapon on this list is the Chinese Shuangou. Mainly used in pairs. They were used to deliver slashing blows and hook hooks. Today, these weapons are practiced in some Wushu schools. Its total length is about 1 meter.

Lightning (Kpinga)

Lightning is a throwing knife that was used by experienced warriors of the Azande tribe who lived in northern Central Africa. The knife, with a total length of up to 22 cm, had a blade that, closer to the handle, predominantly had the shape of male genital organs, which symbolized the power of the owner of the knife.

Macuahuitl

Seventh place in the list of the most unusual ancient weapons is occupied by the “macuahuitl” - a sword-shaped weapon made of strong wood, with very sharp pieces of obsidian built into the sides. This weapon was sharp enough to decapitate a man. According to one source, the macuahuitl was between 0.91 and 1.2 meters long and 80 millimeters wide.

Scissor

This rather strange weapon was used in the arenas of the Roman Empire in famous gladiator fights. The gladiators who used this weapon in battle bore the same name as the weapon - Scissors. A long metal tube that covered the arm allowed the gladiator to easily block, parry, and also strike. The scissor, weighing only about 3 kg, was made of hard steel and reached a length of 45 cm.

Chakra (Chakram)

Fourth place in the list of the most unusual weapons of the ancient world is occupied by the “chakra” - a deadly metal circle with a diameter of up to 30 cm, originally from India, where it was widely used by Indian warriors - the Sikhs. This weapon has extremely sharp edges that can easily cut off parts of the body that are not protected by armor.

Chu Ko Nu

Chu Ko Nu is a Chinese weapon, one might say, the progenitor of the automatic rifle. The wooden case at the top of the crossbow contained 10 bolts, which were reloaded when the rectangular lever was pulled back. The crossbow could fire on average about 10 shots per 15 seconds, which was fantastic at that time. To achieve greater mortality, the bolts were lubricated with the poison of the aconite flower, which is one of the ten most famous poisons.

Nest of Bees

Another weapon that the Chinese invented is called a swarm of bees, or flying fire. The weapon is a wooden container in the shape of a hexagon with tubes, each containing an arrow. One such swarm of bees could simultaneously fire up to 32 arrows, with greater power and range than a traditional bow.

Qatar

The katar was a Native American weapon that was very effective in close combat because it caused deep puncture wounds that caused profuse bleeding. The length of the blade varied from 10 centimeters to a meter or more. At first glance, the katar is one blade, but when you press a special lever located on the handle, this blade is divided into three - one in the middle and two on the sides. This not only made the weapon more effective, but also intimidated opponents.

Zhua

The most unusual weapon of the ancient world is the “zhua” - a Chinese weapon that looked like an iron hand with claws that could easily tear pieces of flesh from the body of enemies. However, the main goal of the Zhua is to snatch shields from the hands of opponents, thereby leaving them defenseless against the deadly claws.

Wars have been fought since time immemorial. In those same time immemorial, the first weapon was invented. See our most interesting types.

A Chinese weapon, it can be called the progenitor of the automatic rifle. The wooden section of the crossbow held 10 arrows, which were reloaded when the triangular arm was pulled back after firing. The last time Chu Ko Nu was seen was in the Sino-Japanese Wars of 1894-1895, after the advent of firearms. On average, the crossbow fired 10 arrows in 15 seconds. Compared to the reload speed of conventional bows and crossbows, this was a great achievement. For greater damage, the tips of the arrows were smeared with poison from the aconite flower.

Used by Maori tribes in New Zealand. This simple-looking thing was made of jade. For the Maori it was a sacred weapon. They named their clubs and passed them on from generation to generation. Maori even believed that they contained their own mana (spiritual power). Their baton was a symbol of leadership.

Curved Swords

Such curved swords were worn by Shaolin monks in China. These beautiful blades were forged into a hook shape so that their owner could join them together and carry them as one solid blade. The guard, made in the shape of a crescent, perfectly blocked blows and literally cut through enemies. The hilt was sharpened to attack the enemy at close range. The length of such a sword was 121-188 cm. Such swords were used mainly by civilians, not by the army.

Kpinga is a throwing knife used by the experienced warriors of the Azanda tribe. They lived in Nubia, a region of Africa that includes northern Sudan and southern Egypt. This knife was up to 55.88 cm long and had 3 blades with a base in the center. The blade closest to the hilt was shaped like a man's genitals and represented the masculine power of its owner. The very design of the kpinga blades increased the chances of hitting the enemy as hard as possible upon contact. When the owner of the knife got married, he presented the kpinga as a gift to the family of his future wife.

This strange-looking weapon was used in gladiatorial battles in the Roman Empire. The metal cavity at the base of the scissor covered the gladiator's hand, which made it possible to easily block blows and also deliver his own. Scissor was made of solid steel and was 45 cm long. It was surprisingly light, which made it possible to strike quickly.

You definitely won't be able to play Frisbee with this one. It was usually thrown vertically rather than horizontally. This deadly metal circle was up to 30 cm in diameter. Its very sharp edges could easily cut off an arm or leg. This weapon originated in India, where it was used by influential Sikhs. One of the ways to throw chakram was to unwind the ring on the index finger, and then with a sharp movement of the wrist throw the weapon at the enemy.

This Indian weapon gave its owner wolverine claws; the blade lacked only the strength and cutting ability of adamant. At first glance, the katar is a single blade, but when the lever on the handle is pressed, this blade splits into three - one in the middle and two on the sides. Three blades not only make the weapon effective, but also intimidate the enemy. The shape of the handle makes it easy to block blows. But it is also important that the triple blade can cut through any Asian armor.

Another Chinese weapon. The iron “hand” of Zhua had claws at the ends, which easily tore pieces of flesh from the body. The weight of the zhua itself was enough to kill the enemy, but with the claws everything looked even more terrible. If the zhua was used by an experienced warrior, he could pull soldiers off their horses. But the main goal of the Zhua was to snatch shields from the hands of opponents, leaving them defenseless against the deadly claws.

Today, as the military industry develops at an increasingly rapid pace, new types of weapons are reported almost daily - armed drones, destructive missiles and many other mechanisms with which it is so easy to take a human life.

Here you will see more ancient types of weapons - not swords, axes and spears, but weapons that were owned only by a select few, they were so dangerous.

Madu

In ancient times, Hindus and Muslims were prohibited from carrying weapons, so they improvised to create an object that looked like an ordinary work tool or utensil, but was actually a weapon that could be deadly. Madu was made from crossed antelope horns. The horns sticking out to the sides were ideal for attacking the enemy from behind, but, of course, those who carried mada with them claimed that it was a means of self-defense, and nothing more.

Haladiye

One of the most formidable types of weapons created in India is the Haladiye dagger. These daggers were carried by the Rajputs, a class of warriors whose code of honor resembled that of the samurai. The Haladiye resembles a small sword, but it has two blades, making it more difficult to use. However, those who have honed their skills in battles with the help of haladiye can attack the enemy from both sides!

Kakute

Kakute is a spiked ring originally from ancient Japan. Although the kakute appears small and harmless in appearance, it was one of the most dangerous weapons of female ninjas. Such rings have from 1 to 3 spikes, which makes a blow from the hand on which it is worn fatal - especially if it is struck in vulnerable parts of the body. Kakute with poisoned spikes were especially dangerous.

Sodegarami

Sodegarami was used by the Edo police to catch criminals. With the help of this spiked pole, the police could, by sharply throwing it forward, tangle the clothes of the criminal in order to make it easier to disarm him. The name "sodegarami" translates as "sleeve entangler". It was convenient for them to separate the samurai during the battle - there was no other legal way: any other weapon could kill the samurai, which was prohibited by law (only another samurai could kill a samurai).

Atlatl

One of the oldest types of weapons, the atlatl is the ancestor of bows and arrows. The atlatl could only be used over a short distance, but spears thrown with this simple mechanism achieved high speed! The weapon was so effective that some scientists suggest that it was due to its use by humans that the mammoth population became extinct. The atlatl is so fast because the weapon was made from amazingly flexible wood. It was used on every continent except Africa; Europeans saw it used by the Aztecs in the 16th century.

Khopesh

An ancient Egyptian weapon, the khopesh is a cross between a battle ax and a sword. Before the khopesh began to be used as a weapon, it was a symbol of the power of the pharaoh, but due to its effectiveness in battles, it began to be used to arm armies and even cut down trees. Khopesh was made of bronze, so it was extremely heavy and difficult to use, but precisely because of its weight (as well as its curved shape) its destructive power exceeded all wildest expectations.

Cestus

Although the cestus is not a lethal weapon, it deserves mention: it perfectly protected the hands of fist fighters during fights in Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome, and was also used by fighters as a shield. The difference between the cestus and modern boxing gloves is in the materials from which they were made: the Greeks used leather belts, as well as iron plates, spikes and blades, which turned the means of protection into a weapon for a lethal technique.

Shotel

This sword-like weapon originated in ancient Ethiopia; It was very difficult to use because of its shape. At first, the shotel was very popular, but later both Ethiopia and Europe realized that it was not only difficult to make, it was also ineffective in close combat due to its excessive length. The only good thing about this weapon is that it is difficult to deflect with a shield!

Spike knife

This dagger with a short T-shaped blade was created for close combat and surprise attacks. The butcher knife is taken in the hand so that the blade protrudes from the fist between the index and middle fingers. There is a similar sword design that is more suitable for long battles than for rapid attacks. The poke knife is still used in various parts of the world for self-defense, but it is a very ancient type of weapon.

Bagh nakh

Bagh nakh, also known as tiger claws, are weapons originating from ancient India and Japan. It has 4 to 5 curved blades that are designed to tear apart the opponent's muscles - they are too short to reach the internal organs. The weapon was popular among assassins, who used deadly poisons coupled with tiger claws for a precise and deadly strike. In addition, women carried such weapons with them for self-defense from strangers and wild animals.

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