03-11-2011, 02:30 AM
Last documented use: achaeologically, certainly c. 70 BC-c. 50 BC; literary sources: c. 45 BC (Seneca, De Beneficiis). Possibly in use by Augustan period. No later.
The falcata was already in decadencie by the first century BC, replaced by the straight sword that in turn became the gladius hispaniensis.
The falcata (an original or a good replica) is perfectly adept at thrusting, as much as slashing. Later kopides work the same. Etruscan machairai or early greek ones are only slashing weapons, without a dorsal edge and a more pronounced curve.
Cheers
The falcata was already in decadencie by the first century BC, replaced by the straight sword that in turn became the gladius hispaniensis.
The falcata (an original or a good replica) is perfectly adept at thrusting, as much as slashing. Later kopides work the same. Etruscan machairai or early greek ones are only slashing weapons, without a dorsal edge and a more pronounced curve.
Cheers
