Swords and Spears
Wonderful response Toby, I have one comment to make from a more practical aspect though:
Spears and bows were the primary instruments of battle, however spears broke, or bowmen might be engaged in close combat where a bow was about as usefull as a flyswatter. Swords can be easily carried in a manner that leaves both hands free for use of the primary weapon and can be quickly drawn at need. I think the principle value of the sword is not as king of the battlefield, but as a highly effective secondary weapon which doesn't intefere with the use of the warriors weapon of choice, and still offers a good balance of offensive and defensive capabilities.
It was rather uncommon in all cultures to have a military unit that was armed with swords as the primary weapon, with the exception of late European cavalry, which mostly used (or at least encouraged) the sword as a sort of short lance.
Dan Beaird
The best time to be a hero is when all the other chaps are dead, God rest 'em, and you can take the credit.
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