Saif (Arabian) Scimitar (Arabian) Zulfiqar (Arabian) European swords Ancient Europe Bronze Age European swords Harpe: mentioned almost exclusively in Greek mythology Iron Age European swords Falcata/Kopis: one-handed single-edged swords – blade – with forward-curving blade for slashing Falx: Dacian and Thracian one-handed or two-handed single-edged curved shortsword for slashing Gladius: Roman one-handed double-edged shortsword for thrusting (primary) and slashing, used by legionaries (heavy infantry) and gladiators, and late Roman light infantry. 3rd century BCE Roman Republic – late Roman Empire. Makhaira: Greek one-handed, single-edged shortsword or knife for cutting (primary) and thrusting Rhomphaia: Greek single-edged straight or slightly curved broadsword – blade – for slashing (primary) and thrusting Spatha: Celtic/Germanic/Roman one-handed double-edged longsword – blade – for thrusting and slashing, used by gladiators, cavalry and heavy infantry. 3rd century BCE Gaul/Germania – Migration Period. Xiphos: Greek one-handed, double-edged Iron Age straight shortsword Xyele: The short, slightly curved, one-edged sword of the Spartans. Migration Period swords Spatha: continuation, evolved into Ring-sword (ring-spatha, ring-hilt spatha), Merovingian period Viking sword or Carolingian sword Krefeld type Post-classical Europe Arming sword: high medieval knightly sword Curtana: a medieval term for a ceremonial sword Longsword: late medieval Backsword Falchion Estoc: thrust-oriented Claymore: late medieval Scottish Paramerion: Eastern Roman Byzantine sword Seax: shortsword, knife or dagger of varying sizes typical of the Germanic peoples of the Migration Period and the Early Middle Ages, especially the Saxons, whose name derives from the weapon. Viking sword or Carolingian sword: early medieval spatha Zweihänder: 1500-1600 Germany Modern Europe Cutlass Early modern fencing Rapier Sabre Modern fencing (sport equipment) Épée Foil (fencing) Sabre (fencing) North American swords U.S. regulation swords (sabres, and in some instances fascine knives shaped like short swords) See also Classification of swords List of daggers List of premodern combat weapons Lists of swords References Type Swords swords