Byzantine Spathion Sword

By Crusader1307

Developed from the ancient Roman Gladius and Spatha Swords, The Spathion was designed around the 3rd Century A.D. and carried forward (mostly unchanged), until the 13th Century. In The Longsword class of weapons, it ranged from 3 to 4 feet in length. Made of iron, they were heavy at 3.5 to in some cases 5 pounds! The weight of the weapon was intentional. In the hands of a trained warrior, as a cleaving, double edged weapon - one could easily remove a limb or two. The weight also was effective against Chain Mail and leather protection. A short infantry version and a longer cavalry type existed.