Page 20 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

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CE EARLY METAL WEAPONS
O 500 The first organized armies, those of the Sumerians, are recorded in around 3000bce.

While heavy war wagons were used, the Sumerians fought largely on foot and carried
spears and shields. The development of the spoked wheel enabled much lighter, faster
ORDS T vehicles to be built—open chariots, from which archers could shower enemies with Double-edged blade Gold scabbard
arrows. Thus, chariot warfare came to dominate conflict in the Near East in the second
millennium bce. But as advances in horse breeding produced more robust animals,
mounted archers—even faster and more maneuverable than chariots—became
more valuable to armies in the region, together with infantry foot soldiers
AND SW equipped with spears, swords, and daggers. ▲ SUMERIAN DAGGER This ornate ceremonial dagger

was excavated from the tomb
Origin Sumeria
TS Hair-effect Date c.2500bce of Queen Pu-Abi at Ur. Its blade
and scabbard are crafted in gold,
Length 8–12in (20–30cm)
while the hilt is made from lapis
decoration
lazuli trimmed in gold.
CHARIO

Scabbard with relief decoration
of animals and mounted men

▲ PHOENICIAN DAGGER The Phoenicians occupied
Date 18th century bce trading cities of the Levantine
coast and were known more as
Origin Phoenicia
merchants than as warriors.
Length 15 ⁄4in (39.3cm) This magnificent gold and ivory
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dagger and scabbard signified
the bearer’s wealth and were
not intended for military use.

Cheekguards to
protect face Central groove to
stop scale slipping

▲ ASSYRIAN Assyrian soldiers wore a sariam,
▲ HELMET OF This ceremonial, gold-and-silver SCALE ARMOR a long coat made of lamellar
MESKALAMDUG alloy helmet was found in the tomb armor. Bronze scales, such
Date c.2500bce of Meskalamdug at Ur in Sumeria. Date 1800–620bce as these, were laced together
It is known as a wig helmet because Origin Assyria
Origin Sumeria of the intricately carved imitation of through holes punched in the
Length 8 ⁄2in (22cm) hair on the crown. Length 2in (5cm) side. A complete set of armor
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consisted of up to 1,000 scales,
Material Gold, silver weighing 33–55lb (15–25kg).
Crescent-shaped blade
◀ PERSIAN
BRONZE AXEHEAD Double-edged blade
Date 10th–7th century bce
Origin Persia
Length 8in (20.5cm)
The blade on this spike-butted
ax is set at an angle, which would
have been impractical in combat,
suggesting that the ax was for
ceremonial use.