Xiphos blade shape...

[Virilis]

Hello there!

I would like to know the cross-section types of the greek "xiphos" type swords. They seem to have mainly a raised midrib on the blade and I would like to know if there are any examples of a diamond shaped cross-section? Thanks !

[hoplite14gr]

Xiphos simply means sword.
Except cross-type hand guard earlier types of handles reminincent of Bronze Age types survived:

[Virilis]

Thanks !

Now I found some info on this site:

http://www.larp.com/hoplite/weapons.html

It seems that the spartans used a shorter Xiphos during the peloponnesian wars and I think I have seen a relief somewhere depicting this kind of shorter sword with a diamond cross-section of the blade (I must check my books again)...

[hoplite14gr]

The image I posted show short blades from 500 B.C. There were bronze sort blades in Bronze Age too (Naue type swords)
A glyph in "Künsthistorishes Museum" in Vienna date in 460 b.C. shows hoplites holding "laconian" sword

The term Laconian is used mostly for marketing.

Most people belive that it originated with Osprey's "Spartan Army" and traders simply jumped the bandwagon.

Kind regards