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Acinaces
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The acinaces, also transliterated as akinakes (Greek ἀκῑνάκης) or akinaka (unattested Old Persian *akīnakah, Sogdian kynʼk) is a type of dagger or xiphos (short sword) used mainly in the first millennium BCE in the eastern Mediterranean Basin, especially by the Medes,[1] Scythians, Persians and Caspians,[2] then by the Greeks.[3]
The acinaces, of Scythian origin, but made famous by the Persians, rapidly spread throughout the ancient world. The Romans believed that this weapon originated with the Medes.[3]
The acinaces is typically 40–60 cm (16–24 in) in length and double-edged,[3] and although there is no universal design, the guard may be lobed[4] with the hilt resembling that of a bollock dagger, or the pommel may be split[5] or of the "antenna" type.[6] The scabbard – as much as anything else – defines the acinaces, and usually has a large decorative mount near the opening, allowing it to be suspended from a belt on the wearer's right side.[7][3]
- ^ "Medes and Persian swords". Members.ozemail.com.au. Archived from the original on 2012-02-04. Retrieved 2012-01-30.
- ^ A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities (1890) William Smith, LLD, William Wayte, G. E. Marindin, Ed.
- ^ a b c d Blair, Claude and Tarassuk, Leonid, eds. (1982). The Complete Encyclopedia of Arms and Weapons. p.17. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0-671-42257-X.
- ^ "Scythian Iron Dagger or Akinakes". Hixenbaugh. Hixenbaugh.net. Archived from the original on Feb 10, 2009. Retrieved 2012-01-30.
- ^ [1] Archived April 12, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-09-10. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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