The sword is a white weapon.
The Greek word spáthē came into Latin as spatha . That is the immediate etymological antecedent of sword , a term that in our language refers to a knife .
Before moving forward, it is important to note that a weapon is a device or utensil used for defensive purposes or to perpetrate an attack . In the specific case of edged weapons , these are attack objects that are based on the presence of a metal blade.
Characteristics of the swords
The swords stand out for the length of their metal blade . This part of the weapon is straight, sharp and pointed, which can cause cutting wounds.
Beyond this broad definition, sword blades can have various characteristics depending on the model . There are swords with blades that end in a point but are dull, while others are blunt but have a edge on one or both edges.
If we focus specifically on what is stated by the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ), the sword always has a straight blade. Therefore, it is possible to differentiate it from the saber , whose blade is arched. However, in colloquial language, a sword is usually called any bladed weapon with a more or less long blade, regardless of its eventual curve, which includes swords , greatswords , rapiers , and scimitars in this group. , katanas and foils , for example.
As for the parts of the sword, in addition to the blade, we must name the hilt . This segment is formed with the guard or garrison , the knob and the handle and makes it possible to control the blade. The sheath , meanwhile, is the cover where the weapon is stored and transported.
In ancient times, swords were very important in the military field.
Historical evolution
It is estimated that the first swords were created in the second millennium BC. This means that these weapons were born in the so-called Bronze Age , characterized by the emergence of the metallurgy of this alloy of tin and copper.
Those primitive swords only consisted of the blade and a handle. Over time , they became more complex.
Around the 13th century BC. C. , iron swords began to become popular. In the Roman Empire and Ancient Greece these types of swords were very important.
The development of firearms caused a decline in the relevance and use of swords. Thus, little by little they stopped being used in the military field, where they became part of the ceremonial uniform.
Mythological and fictional swords
The sword has great significance on a cultural level. It is considered a symbol or emblem of power and appears in many legends and works of fiction.
Among the best known is Excalibur , King Arthur 's sword. This character , who represents the perfect monarch, obtained his sword from the Lady of the Lake .
Zorro , meanwhile, is a character created by Johnston McCulley who does justice with his sword. In addition to appearing in comics , he starred in a successful TV series.
He-Man, Lion-O (ThunderCats) y Conan the Barbarian también se lucen con su destreza en el manejo de la espada.