[MR] The Realities of Edged Weapons Combat: Separating Myth from Reality

[J. C. Smith ispán]

Hi there,

An interesting article on the historical use of edged weapons in combat from the 
ancient through the medieval era.

"Edged weapons, be it spears, knives or swords have always been the primary 
weapon used in close quarters combat between individuals. Of course this is a 
given, in the times before the invention of explosive discharge weapons 
(firearms). This was a time where the primary projectile weapons were the bow 
and arrow, sling, and Javelin. On a larger scale the Romans used a large 
catapult called the Onager (wild ass) and the Ballista, a large mechanical 
crossbow capable of firing various projectiles and, there were the Greek 
versions of the same weapons, the Oxybeles and the Lithobolos. However, in the 
end, conflicts between armies always came down to the skills of the individual 
foot soldier. Foot soldiers from any of the classical historical periods were 
typically armed with a spear(s), helmet, some degree of armor, a sword, knife 
and shield."

More at http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=41780
 
JEFFREY C. SMITH 
 
"We are fast approaching the stage of the ultimate inversion: the stage where 
the government is free to do anything it pleases, while the citizens may act 
only by permission; which is the stage of the darkest periods of human history, 
the stage of rule by brute force." -- Ayn Rand (1905-1982)