Historical Swords From Around the World (Image Gallery)

Image Gallery

by Arienne King
published on 07 April 2021

This image gallery showcases 28 styles of swords from around the world. This non-exhaustive list highlights different methods of swordmaking from throughout history.

Assyrian Sickle Sword

by Metropolitan Museum of Art
published on 27 February 2021

Assyrian Sickle Sword — View Full-Size Image

A bronze Assyrian sickle sword that is believed to have belonged to the Assyrian king Adad Nirari I (r. 1307–1275 BCE). The blade bears the cuneiform inscription: "Palace of Adad-nirari, king of the universe, son of Arik-den-ili, king of Assyria, son of Enlil-nirari, king of Assyria". The inscription appears on both sides of the blade and along its (non-cutting) edge. Both sides of the blade bear an engraving of an antelope reclining on a platform. The sword likely served a ceremonial purpose as a symbol of royal power, and may not have been used in actual battle.

Made in northern Mesopotamia, c. 13th century BCE. Length: 54.3 cm (21 in). Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

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License & Copyright

© Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY. Republished for educational/scholarly use under the museum's Open Access for Scholarly Content initiative. Original image by Metropolitan Museum of Art. Uploaded by Arienne King, published on 27 February 2021. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: Copyright. You cannot use, copy, distribute, or modify this item without explicit permission from the author. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.