Why was the khopesh made?
Table of Contents
- 1 Why was the khopesh made?
- 2 Where did the khopesh originate from?
- 3 When was the first khopesh found?
- 4 Who invented the khopesh?
- 5 Why was the khopesh important in ancient Egypt?
- 6 Who invented the Shotel?
- 7 When was the first khopesh made?
- 8 What was the Khopesh used for in ancient Egypt?
- 9 When did the Khopesh change from bronze to iron?
Why was the khopesh made?
The ancient Egyptians used a weapon called the khopesh. It was a curved blade that was excellent for getting around shields and puncturing body parts like kidneys.
Where did the khopesh originate from?
Ancient Egypt
Khopesh
| Khepesh | |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Ancient Egypt |
| Service history | |
| In service | c. 3000–1300 BCE |
| Used by | New Kingdom of Egypt Kingdom of Israel and Judah Canaanite city-states |
Who used the khopesh in ancient Egypt?
In Ancient Egyptian, khopesh means “foreleg of an animal,” similar to the English word “dogleg.” The Egyptians owed the Hyksos once again for this vicious-looking weapon, which is frequently depicted in relief paintings being wielded by a pharaoh to smite enemy armies.
When was the first khopesh found?
| Khopesh | |
|---|---|
| 18th century BC khopesh found in Shechem, West Bank; the blade is decorated with electrum inlays. | |
| Type | Sword |
| Place of origin | Egypt |
| Service history |
Who invented the khopesh?
1. Khopesh. One of the most influential of the early swords that arose during the Bronze Age, the khopesh was an ancient Egyptian weapon that featured a hooked blade sharpened on its outside edge. Sickle-shaped swords were typically cast from bronze and were believed to have made their way to Egypt via the Middle East.
When was the Shotel invented?
A Lesser Known Ancient Blade From Africa Somewhat lesser known in the sword history world, the Shotel is a curved blade of around 40 inches or 1 meter in length, dating back to 980 BC to Abyssinia — modern day Ethiopia. It was used as recently as the 1800s.
Why was the khopesh important in ancient Egypt?
During the New Kingdom period, they became a common military weapon and were prized for their gruesome slashing ability in close-quarters combat. The khopesh also came to have ceremonial value and was often depicted in art or included in the tombs of prominent Egyptians.
Who invented the Shotel?
A shotel is a curved sword originating in Abyssinia (ancient Ethiopia). It looks very much like the Near Eastern scimitars. The curve on the shotel’s blade varies from the Persian shamshir, adopting an almost semicircular shape. The blade is flat and double-edged with a diamond cross-section.
What was the Shotel used for?
The shotel could be used to hook and rip the warrior off the horse. Classically, the shotel was employed in a dismounted state to hook the opponent by reaching around a shield or any other defensive implement or weapon.
When was the first khopesh made?
The earliest forms of the khopesh were invented in Mesopotamia by the beginning of the 2nd millennium BC. Furthermore, the Stele of the Vultures, dating to 2500 BC, depicts the Sumerian king, Eanatum of Lagash, wielding what appears to be a sickle-shaped sword.
What was the Khopesh used for in ancient Egypt?
An ancient Egyptian khopesh sword. Uses of the Khopesh. Unlike the axe and the spear which had civilian uses before they were weapons of war, the sword was probably one of the first weapons designed exclusively for battle. As a curved sword, the khopesh was used primarily as a cutting, slashing, and chopping weapon.
What is a khopesh sword?
The khopesh, a curved sword commonly used in Egypt during the Bronze Age, represents the oldest sword style used in North Africa and the Near East. It is also with this sword that the Egyptians forged an ancient empire.
When did the Khopesh change from bronze to iron?
These weapons changed from bronze to iron in the New Kingdom period. The earliest known depiction of a khopesh is from the Stele of Vultures, depicting King Eannatum of Lagash wielding the weapon; this would date the khopesh to at least 2500 BC.