This is a list of notable types of weapons that were used in

warfare War is an armed conflict between the armed forces of State (polity), states, or between governmental forces and armed groups that are organized under a certain command structure and have the capacity to sustain military operations, or betwe ...

, and more broadly in

combat Combat (French language, French for ''fight'') is a purposeful violent Conflict (process), conflict between multiple combatants with the intent to harm the opposition. Combat may be armed (using weapons) or unarmed (Hand-to-hand combat, not usin ...

, prior to the advent of the

early modern period The early modern period is a Periodization, historical period that is defined either as part of or as immediately preceding the modern period, with divisions based primarily on the history of Europe and the broader concept of modernity. There i ...

, i.e., approximately prior to the start of the 16th century. It therefore excludes objects that may be broadly understood as weapons but are not combat weapons, such as ceremonial weapons and ritual tools shaped or conceptualized as weapons, hunting weapons, and other items that may be perceived as weapons but for which there is no historical evidence of their use in combat during the relevant period. The entries are grouped according to their uses, with similar weapons categorized together. Some weapons may fit more than one category (e.g. the spear may be used either as a

polearm A polearm or pole weapon is a close combat weapon in which the main fighting part of the weapon is fitted to the end of a long shaft, typically of wood, extending the user's effective range and striking power. Polearms are predominantly melee we ...

or as a

projectile A projectile is an object that is propelled by the application of an external force and then moves freely under the influence of gravity and air resistance. Although any objects in motion through space are projectiles, they are commonly found ...

), and the earliest gunpowder weapons that fill within this period are also included.

Hand-to-hand combat

Hand or fist weapons and fans

Single-handed weapons not resembling a straight dagger blade, usually wielded without wrist action; often protects the forearm. * Bagh nakh, tiger claws (Indian) *

Brass knuckles Brass knuckles (also referred to as brass knucks, knuckledusters, iron fist and paperweight, among other names) are a melee weapon used primarily in Hand to hand combat, hand-to-hand combat. They are fitted and designed to be worn around the kn ...

, knuckle dusters (European) * Cestus, bladed cestus, caestus, myrmex, sfere (Mediterranean) * Deer Horn Knives (Chinese) * Emeici (Chinese) * Finger knife (African) * Gauntlet (European) * Indian parrying weapon * Japanese fan, iron fan * Katar, suwaiya (कटार) (Indian) * Korean fan, mubuchae (무부채), tempered birch fan * Larim fighting bracelet, nyepel (African) *

Maduvu The Maduvu, also known as a ''maru'' or ''madu'', is a weapon from India. It is one of the many weapons used in the Tamil martial art Silambam. More commonly known as a madu, it is also referred to as a ''maan kombu'' after the deer horns fro ...

, buckhorn parrying stick, maru (Indian) * Pata, sword gauntlet (Indian) * Push dagger, also see Katar (dagger) (Indian) * Tekko, Tekko Kagi (Japanese) * Wind and fire wheels (Chinese) * Moche Tiger claw (Peru)

Edged and bladed weapons

Thrusting and cutting weapons for melee combat. Col. D.H. Gordon's classification has been used where applicable.

Swords

=Curved one-handed

= * Dao, beidao, zhibei dao (Chinese) * Dao (Northeast Indian) * Dha (Southeast Asian) *

Falchion A falchion (; Old French: ''fauchon''; Latin: ''falx'', "sickle") is a one-handed, backsword, single-edged sword of European origin. Falchions are found in different forms from around the 13th century up to and including the 16th century. In so ...

(European) * Hwando (Korean) *

Kampilan The kampilan (Baybayin: ) is a type of single-edged sword, traditionally used by various Ethnic groups in the Philippines, ethnic groups in the Philippine archipelago. It has a distinct profile, with the tapered Sword#Blade, blade being much broa ...

(Philippinese, Southeast Asian) * Khopesh, sappara, sickle sword (Egyptian, Middle Eastern) *

Kilij A kilij (from Turkish language, Turkish ''kılıç'', literally "sword") is a type of one-handed, single-edged and curved scimitar used by the Seljuk dynasty, Seljuk Empire, Timurid Empire, Mamluk Empire, Ottoman Empire, and other Turkic khanat ...

(North Indian, Middle Eastern) *

Klewang The klewang or kelewang is a category of traditional single-edged sword that can be found throughout the Malay Archipelago. Usually it is shorter than a ''pedang'' (sword) but longer than a '' golok'' (machete). There are straight bladed types ...

(Southeast Asian) * Krabi (Southeast Asian) * Liuyedao (Chinese) * Mameluke (Middle Eastern) * Nimcha (African) * Parang Nabur (Bornean) * Piandao (Chinese) *

Pulwar The pulwar or pulouar () is a single-handed curved sword originating in Afghanistan. Origin The pulwar originated alongside other scimitar-type weapons such as the Arab Arab sword, saif, the Persian shamshir, the Turkish kilij, and the Indian ta ...

(Middle Eastern) * Scimitar, saif (Middle Eastern) *

Shamshir A shamshir () is a type of Persian/Iranian sword with a radical curve. The name is derived from the Persian word ''shamshīr'', which is made of two words ''sham'' ("fang") and ''shir'' ("lion"). The curved " scimitar" sword family includes the ...

(Pakistani, North Indian, Middle Eastern) * Shashka (Caucasian, Circassian) * Surik (Indonesian) *

Talwar The talwar (), also spelled talwaar and tulwar, is a type of curved sword or sabre from the Indian subcontinent. Etymology and classification The word ''talwar'' originated from the Sanskrit Language, Sanskrit word ''taravāri'' () which means ...

(Pakistani, North Indian, Middle Eastern) * Yanmaodao (Chinese)

=Straight one-handed

= * Arming sword, war sword (European) * Backsword (European) * Chokutō (Japanese) *

Estoc The French estoc is a type of sword, also called a tuck in English, in use from the 14th to the 17th century. It is characterized by a cruciform hilt with a grip for two-handed use and a straight, edgeless, but sharply pointed blade around in le ...

(European) * Firangi, firanghi (Central Asian) * Flamberge (European) * Flyssa (North African) * Hwandudaedo (Korean) * Ida (West African) * Jian (Chinese) *

(Philippinese) * Kaskara (Central African) *

Khanda Khanda may refer to: Places * Khanda, Sonipat, a large historical village in Sonipat district of Haryana, India * Khanda, Jind, a village in Jind district of Haryana, India * Khanda Kheri, a village in Hansi Tehsil of Hisar district of Haryana, ...

(South Asian) * Moplah (Southwestern Indian) * Patag (Bhutanese) *

Rapier A rapier () is a type of sword originally used in Spain (known as ' -) and Italy (known as '' spada da lato a striscia''). The name designates a sword with a straight, slender and sharply pointed two-edged long blade wielded in one hand. It wa ...

(European) * Saingeom (Korean) *

Seax A ''seax'' (; also sax, sæx, sex; invariant in plural, latinized ''sachsum'') is a small sword, fighting knife or dagger typical of the Germanic peoples of the Migration Period and the Early Middle Ages, especially the Saxons. The name comes f ...

(European) * Side sword (European) * Sikin Panyang (Sumatran) * Spatha (Mediterranean, Greek) * Takoba (North African) * Tibetan Jian (Middle Asian) * Tsurugi (Japanese) * Ulfberht (Frankish)

=Curved two-handed

= * Dōtanuki (Japanese) *

Falx The was a weapon with a curved blade that was sharp on the inside edge used by the Thracians and Dacians. The name was later applied to a siege hook used by the Romans. Etymology is a Latin word originally meaning 'sickle' but was later used ...

(European, Thraco-Dacian) *

Katana A is a Japanese sword characterized by a curved, single-edged blade with a circular or squared guard and long grip to accommodate two hands. Developed later than the ''tachi'', it was used by samurai in feudal Japan and worn with the edge fa ...

(Japanese) * Miao dao (Chinese) * Nandao (Chinese) * Nihontō (Japanese) * Panabas (Philippinese) * Ssangsudo (Korean) *

Tachi A is a type of sabre-like traditionally made Japanese sword (''nihonto'') worn by the samurai class of feudal Japan. ''Tachi'' and '' uchigatana'' ("''katana''") generally differ in length, degree of curvature, and how they were worn when she ...

(Japanese) * Uchigatana (Japanese)

=Hand-and-a-half and two-handed greatswords

= * Assamese dao (Indian, Southeast Asian) * Boar sword (European) *

Changdao The ''changdao'' ( zh, t=長刀, s=长刀, first=t, p=chángdāo, l=long sword) was a two-handed, single-edged Chinese swords, Chinese sword. The term has been translated as "long saber," "saber-staff," or "long-handled saber." During the Ming ...

(Chinese) * Claidheamh da laimh, highland sword (European) * Claymore, Scottish Gaelic for "great sword" (Scottish, European) * Dadao (Chinese) * Executioner's sword, heading sword, sword of justice (European) *

Flame-bladed sword A flame-bladed sword or wave-bladed sword has a characteristically undulating style of blade. The wave in the blade is often considered to contribute a flame-like quality to the appearance of a sword. The dents on the blade can appear parallel o ...

, flambard, flammard, flammenschwert (European) *

(Japanese) * Longsword, bastard sword, espée bastarde, hand and a half sword (European) *

Nagamaki The is a type of traditionally made Japanese sword (''nihontō'') with an extra long handle, used by the samurai class of feudal Japan.Friday 2004, p. 88. History It is possible that nagamaki were first produced during the Heian period (794 to ...

(Japanese) * Nodachi,

Ōdachi An or is a type of traditionally made used by the samurai class of feudal Japan. The Chinese equivalent of this type of sword in terms of weight and length is the '' miaodao'' or the earlier ''zhanmadao'', and the Western battlefield equival ...

(Japanese) * Parade sword, paratschwerter (European) * Wodao (Chinese) * Zanbatō (Japanese) *

Zhanmadao The ''zhanmadao'' () was a single-bladed anti-cavalry Chinese sword. It originated during the Han dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) and was especially common in Song dynasty, Song China (960–1279). General characteristics The ''zhanmadao'' is a ...

(Chinese) *

Zweihänder The ''Zweihänder'' (, literally "two-hander"), also ''Doppelhänder'' ("double-hander"), ''Beidhänder'' ("both-hander"), ''Bihänder'', or ''Bidenhänder'', is a large two-handed sword that was used primarily during the 16th century. ''Zwe ...

, great sword, espadon, spadone, tuck, montante, lowland sword, two handed sword, dopplehänder (European)

=Shortswords

= Delineated as 20-28 inches/51–71 cm total length. Curved shortswords include the following: * Aikuchi, haikuchi (Japanese) * Akrafena (West African) * Barong (Southeast Asian) * Janbiya, jambiya, jambya, jambia, janbia (Middle Eastern) *

Khanjar A khanjar is a traditional dagger originating from the Sultanate of Oman, although it has since spread to the rest of the Middle East, South Asia and the Balkans. Worn by men for ceremonial occasions, it is a short curved blade shaped like t ...

(Middle Eastern) * Kodachi (Japanese) * Pinuti (Southeast Asian) * Shikomizue (Japanese) *

Talibon Talibon, officially the Municipality of Talibon (; ), is a municipality of the Philippines, municipality in the Philippine Province, province of Bohol, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 71,272 people, making it ...

(Southeast Asian) *

Wakizashi The is one of the traditionally made Japanese swords ('' nihontō'') worn by the samurai in feudal Japan. Its name refers to the practice of wearing it inserted through one's ''obi'' or sash at one's side, whereas the larger '' tachi'' sword wa ...

(Japanese) Straight shortswords include the following: *

Baselard The baselard, ''Schwiizerdolch'' in Swiss-German (also ''basilard, baslard'', in Middle French also and variants, Medieval Latin, Latinized etc., in Middle High German ) is a historical type of dagger or short sword of the Late Middle Ages. E ...

(European) * Bilbo (European) * Billao (Somali) * Bolo, itak (Philippinese, Southeast Asian) *

Cinquedea The cinquedea (, ) or cinqueda is a civilian short sword (or long dagger). It was developed in northern Italy and enjoyed a period of popularity during the Italian renaissance of the 15th and early 16th centuries. The name ''cinquedea'' means "f ...

, anelace (European) * Colichemarde (European) *

Gladius ''Gladius'' () is a Latin word properly referring to the type of sword that was used by Ancient Rome, ancient Roman foot soldiers starting from the 3rd century BC and until the 3rd century AD. Linguistically, within Latin, the word also came t ...

(Roman) * Luwuk (Javanese) * Misericorde (European) * Ninjatō, Shinobi gatana (Japanese) *

Small sword __NoTOC__ The small sword or smallsword (also court sword, Gaelic: or claybeg, French: , lit. “Sword of the court”) is a light one-handed sword designed for thrusting which evolved out of the longer and heavier rapier (''espada ropera'') o ...

(European) * Swiss dagger, holbein dagger, schweizerdegen (European) * Xiphos (Greek)

=Axe-like

= Generally, convex blades used for heavy chopping or slashing. *

Aruval The aruval (ISO: ) is a type of billhook machete from southern India, particularly common in the Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It is also known as the koḍuvāḷ, the kodavali, the machchu longu or the koita. It is a type of long sickle with a kni ...

(South Indian) * Bolo, itak (Philippinese, Asian) * Falcata (Mediterranean) * Golok (Southeast Asian) * Harpe, harpi (Greek) * Kopis (Greek) * (Nepali) * Kudi (Southeast Asian) *

Kukri The kukri () or khukuri (, ) is a type of knife or short sword with a distinct recurve in its blade that originated in the Indian subcontinent. It serves multiple purposes as a melee weapon and also as a regular cutting/chopping tool throughout ...

, khukri (Nepali) *

Machete A machete (; ) is a broad blade used either as an agricultural implement similar to an axe, or in combat like a long-bladed knife. The blade is typically long and usually under thick. In the Spanish language, the word is possibly a dimin ...

(Spain, Latin America) * Vettukathi (South Indian) * Mahera (Greek) * One handed Dacian falx, sica (Mediterranean, Greek) * Parang Pandit (Southeast Asian) * Sosun pattah (South Asian) * Yatagan, yataghan (Middle Eastern)

=Other

= * Hook sword (Chinese) *

Kris The kris or is a Javanese culture, Javanese asymmetrical dagger with a distinctive blade-patterning achieved through alternating laminations of iron and nickelous iron (''pamor''). The kris is famous for its distinctive wavy blade, although ma ...

, keris sundang, keris bahari (Indonesian) * Nandaka,

Nair The Nair (, ) also known as Nayar, are a group of Indian Hindu castes, described by anthropologist Kathleen Gough as "not a unitary group but a named category of castes". The Nair include several castes and many subdivisions, not all of whom hi ...

, nayar (Indian)

Fighting knives and daggers

=Sickles and sickle like knives

= Generally short, concave blades used for heavy cutting. * Arit (Maduresian, Indonesian) * Karambit, kerambit, korambit (Minangkabauian, Indonesian) * Kujang (Sundanese, Indonesian) *

(Indian) * Mandau (Malaysian, Indonesian, Bornean, Bruneian) * Pichangatti (Indian) * Punyal (Philippinese, Southeast Asian) *

Sickle A sickle, bagging hook, reaping-hook or grasshook is a single-handed agricultural tool designed with variously curved blades and typically used for harvesting or reaping grain crops, or cutting Succulent plant, succulent forage chiefly for feedi ...

(Improvised, worldwide) * Sudanese sickle knife (African)

Picks and pickaxes

* Chicken sickles (Chinese) * Crowbill (European, Central Asian) * Elephant goad, ankus, ankusha, bullhook, elephant hook (South and Southeast Asian) *

Hakapik A hakapik () is a club, of Norwegian design, similar to a fishing gaff, used for killing and moving seals. The hakapik is a multipurpose hunting tool—a heavy wooden club, with a hammer head (used to crush a seal's skull), and a hook (used to ...

(European) *

Horseman's pick The horseman's pick is a weapon of Middle Eastern origin used by cavalry during the Middle Ages in Europe and West Asia. It is a type of war hammer that has a very long spike on the reverse of the hammer head. Usually, this spike is slightly curve ...

, martel de fer, also a blunt weapon (European) *

Kama ''Kama'' (Sanskrit: काम, ) is the concept of pleasure, enjoyment and desire in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. It can also refer to "desire, wish, longing" in Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, and Sikh literature.Monier Williamsका� ...

(Japanese) * Mattock (Improvised, European) *

Pickaxe A pickaxe, pick-axe, or pick is a generally T-shaped hand tool used for Leverage (mechanics), prying. Its head is typically metal, attached perpendicularly to a longer handle, traditionally made of wood, occasionally metal, and increasingly ...

(Improvised, European) *

War hammer A war hammer (French: ''martel-de-fer'', "iron hammer") is a weapon that was used by both infantry, foot soldiers and cavalry. It is a very old weapon and gave its name, owing to its constant use, to Judas Maccabeus, Judah Maccabee, a 2nd-century ...

also a blunt weapon (European)

Axes

Adze An adze () or adz is an ancient and versatile cutting tool similar to an axe but with the cutting edge perpendicular to the handle rather than parallel. Adzes have been used since the Stone Age. They are used for smoothing or carving wood in ha ...

(Improvised, European) * Bardiche (European) * Battle axe (European) * Bhuj with blade shaped like the dagger on a long shaft * Broadaxe (European) * Congolese axe (African) * Dahomey axe club, also an effective blunt weapon (African) * Danish axe, hafted axe, English long axe, Viking axe, Danish longer axe (European) * Doloire (European) * Fu (Chinese) *

Hand axe A hand axe (or handaxe or Acheulean hand axe) is a Prehistory, prehistoric stone tool with two faces that is the longest-used tool in human history. It is made from stone, usually flint or chert that has been "reduced" and shaped from a larger ...

, ovate handaxe (Paleolithic) *

Hatchet A hatchet (from the Old French language, Old French , a diminutive form of ''hache'', 'axe' of Germanic origin) is a Tool, single-handed striking tool with a sharp blade on one side used to cut and split wood, and a hammerhead on the other side ...

(European) * Igorot headhunting axe ( Philippinese, Southeast Asian) *

Labrys ''Labrys'' () is, according to Plutarch (''Quaestiones Graecae'' 2.302a), the Lydian language, Lydian word for the Axe#Components, double-bitted axe. In Greek it was called (''pélekys''). The plural of ''labrys'' is ''labryes'' (). Etymology ...

, pelekys (Greek) * Long-bearded axe (European) * Masakari (Japanese) * Nzappa zap also thrown (African) * Ono (Japanese) * Palstave (Bronze Age, improvised, European) * Sagaris (Middle Eastern) * Shepherd's axe, valaška (European) * Sparth Axe (European) * Tabarzin (Middle Eastern) *

Tomahawk A tomahawk is a type of single-handed axe used by the many Native Americans in the United States, Indian peoples and nations of North America, traditionally resembles a hatchet with a straight shaft. Etymology The name comes from Powhatan langu ...

, Spontoon Tomahawk, also thrown (American) * Tlaximaltepoztli (American) * Vechevoral (Middle Asian)

Truncheons and blunt weapons

Usually wielded with one or two hands at close quarters with striking motions, although some sharp-pointed truncheons like the sai were more often used for stabbing. *

Aklys The aklys (Latin aclys, Greek agkulis) was a Roman javelin measuring approximately 2 m (79 in, 6.6 ft) in length, thrown with the aid of a leather strap or amentum, similar to a Swiss arrow. Every soldier was issued at least two. The term also a ...

(Osci tribe of Southern Italy) * Bō (Japanese) *

Bokken A ''bokken'' (, , 'wood', and ''ken'', '(double-edged) sword') or ''bokutō'' (, , 'wood', and ''tō'', '(single-edged) sword') is a Japanese wooden sword used for training in kenjutsu. It is usually the size and shape of a ''katana'', but is so ...

(Japanese) * Clubbing boomerang (Worldwide) * Returning boomerang (Australian) * Cambuk (Southeast Asian) *

Canne de combat Canne de combat is a French combat sport. As weapon, it uses a ''canne'' or Stick-fighting, cane (a kind of walking-stick) designed for fighting. ''Canne de combat'' was standardized in the 1970s for sporting competition by Maurice Sarry. The ''c ...

(European) * Cateia (European) * Chúi (Chinese) * Club, baseball bat, stone club, truncheon, cudgel, bludgeon *

Crop A crop is a plant that can be grown and harvested extensively for profit or subsistence. In other words, a crop is a plant or plant product that is grown for a specific purpose such as food, Fiber, fibre, or fuel. When plants of the same spe ...

(Worldwide) * Bastons, Eskrima Sticks, straight sticks (Southeast Asian) * Flail (European) * Gada (Indian) *

Gunstock war club The gunstock club or gun stock war club is an Indigenous weapon used by many Native Americans and First Nations and named for its similar appearance to the wooden stocks of muskets and rifles of the time.Gurz, Ottoman gurz (Middle Eastern) *

Hammer A hammer is a tool, most often a hand tool, consisting of a weighted "head" fixed to a long handle that is swung to deliver an impact to a small area of an object. This can be, for example, to drive nail (fastener), nails into wood, to sh ...

(Improvised) *

Hanbō The ''hanbō'' (半棒, "half-staff") is a Stick fighting, staff used in martial arts. Traditionally, the ''hanbō'' was approximately three ''Shaku (unit), shaku'' or about long, half the length of the usual staff, the ''rokushakubō'' ("six ' ...

(Japanese) *

, horseman's hammer, martel de fer, also a pickaxe weapon (European) * Jawbone war club (American) * Jō (Japanese) * Jutte, jitte (Japanese) *

Kanabō The , or 'metal club') is a spiked or studded two-handed war club used in feudal Japan by samurai. Other related weapons of this type are the ''nyoibō'', ''konsaibō'', , and ''ararebō''.Mol, Serge (2003). ''Classical weaponry of Japan: spec ...

(Japanese) * Knobkierrie, knopkierie, knobkerry (African) * Kotiate (Māori) * Kurunthadi, churuvadi, kuruvadi, muchan, otta (Indian) *

Macana The term macana, of Taíno origin, refers to various wooden weapons used by the various native cultures of Central and South America. These weapons were referred to as a hadzab or hats'ab in Yucatecan Mayan. Meaning and origin The earliest ...

(American) * Mace, spiked mace, flanged mace (European, Middle Asian) * Macuahuitl, maquahuitl (American) *

Mallet A mallet is a tool used for imparting force on another object, often made of rubber or sometimes wood, that is smaller than a maul or beetle, and usually has a relatively large head. General overview The term is descriptive of the ...

(American) * Mere used to strike, jab (Māori) * Morning star, goedendag, holy water sprinkler (European) * Mughal (Central Asian) *

Ōtsuchi An is a large wooden war mallet used by the samurai class of feudal Japan The first human inhabitants of the Japanese archipelago have been traced to the Paleolithic, around 38–39,000 years ago. The Jōmon period, named after its cord- ...

(Japanese) * Patu, patuki (Māori) * Plançon a picot, planson (European) *

Quauholōlli The quauholōlli (also transliterated as cuauhololli) was a kind of Blunt instrument, blunt weapon used by the Aztecs, Huastec civilization, Huastecs, and Purépecha Empire, Tarascans. It is a Mace (bludgeon), mace-like Club (weapon), club consisti ...

(American) *

Roundhead Roundheads were the supporters of the Parliament of England during the English Civil War (1642–1651). Also known as Parliamentarians, they fought against King Charles I of England and his supporters, known as the Cavaliers or Royalists, who ...

(European) * Rungu also thrown (African) * Sai (Okinawan, Japanese) * Shestopyor, Pernach (Russian) * Shillelagh (Irish) * Short scepter, mace scepter (European) * Stone war club (American) * Suburito (Japanese) * Sword mace 鐧 (Chinese) * Tambo, tanbo (Okinawan) * Tekkan (Japanese) *

Tekpi The ''tekpi'' is a pointed melee weapon from Southeast Asia. Known as ''tekpi'' in Malay language, Malay, it is called ''chabang'' or ''cabang'' (Dutch spelling: ''tjabang'' meaning "branch") in Indonesian language, Indonesian, ''siang tépi'' (� ...

(Malaysia) * Tewhatewha (Māori) * Tonfa (Okinawan) * Waddy, Nulla Nulla (Australian) *

also a pickaxe weapon (European) * Yawara, pasak, yawara bo, dulodulo (Japanese, Southeast Asian) * Yubi-bo (Japanese)

Polearms and spears

Wielded mainly with two hands. Primarily for hand-to-hand combat with sweeping, thrusting, and or hooking motions.

Blunt staves

* Bâton français (European) * Bō (Japanese) * Eku (Okinawan) *

Gun A gun is a device that Propulsion, propels a projectile using pressure or explosive force. The projectiles are typically solid, but can also be pressurized liquid (e.g. in water guns or water cannon, cannons), or gas (e.g. light-gas gun). So ...

(Chinese) * Jō (Japanese) * Lathi (Indian) *

Naboot A naboot (nabboot, asaya, asa, shoum) is a quarterstaff constructed of palm wood or rattan Rattan, also spelled ratan (from Malay language, Malay: ''rotan''), is the name for roughly 600 species of Old World climbing palms belonging to s ...

, shoum, nabboot, asa, asaya (Middle Eastern) *

Quarterstaff A quarterstaff (plural quarterstaffs or quarterstaves), also short staff or simply staff is a traditional European polearm, which was especially prominent in England during the Early Modern period. The term is generally accepted to refer to a s ...

(European) * Shareeravadi (Middle Asian) * Taiaha (Māori)

Spears

* Ahlspiess, awl pike (European) *

(Osci tribe of Southern Italy) * Atgeir (European) *

Boar spear A boar spear is a spear used for boar hunting. It is relatively short and heavy and has two "Lug (knob), lugs" or "wings" on the spearsocket behind the blade, which act as a barrier to prevent the spear from penetrating too deeply into the quarr ...

(European) * Brandistock, feather staff, buttafuore (European) * Dangpa chang also thrown (Korean) * Dory (Greek) * Hasta (Roman) *

Hoko yari ''Hoko yari'' is an ancient form of Japanese spear or '' yari'' said to be based on a Chinese spear. The hoko yari came into use sometime between the Yayoi period and the Heian period, possibly during the Nara period The of the history of Ja ...

(Japanese) * Iklwa (Zulu tribe of South Africa) * Jukjangchangbo, daijichang, toupjang, nangsun, dongyemochang, chichang, sabarichang, yangjimochang (Korean) *

Lance The English term lance is derived, via Middle English '' launce'' and Old French '' lance'', from the Latin '' lancea'', a generic term meaning a wikt:lancea#Noun">lancea'', a generic term meaning a spear">wikt:lancea#Noun">lancea'', a generi ...

(European) * Menavlion, menavlon (Greek) *

Migration Period spear The spear or lance, together with the bow (weapon), bow, the Migration Period sword, sword, the seax and the shield, was the main equipment of the Germanic peoples, Germanic Ancient warfare#Germanic, warriors during the Migration Period and the ...

, geirr, gaizaz, gar, ger, framea (European) *

Military fork A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily Weapon, armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. Militaries are typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with their members identifiable ...

(European) * Pike (English) *

Pitchfork A pitchfork or hay fork is an agricultural tool used to pitch loose material, such as hay, straw, manure, or leaves. It has a long handle and usually two to five thin tines designed to efficiently move such materials. The term is also applie ...

(Improvised) * Qiang (Chinese) * Ranseur, rawcon, runka (European) * Saintie (Middle Asian) * Sang (Indian) * Sarissa (Greek) * Sibat, bangkaw, palupad, sumbling (Southeast Asian) * Sovnya (Russian) * Spetum (European) * Swordstaff (European) *

Trident A trident (), () is a three- pronged spear. It is used for spear fishing and historically as a polearm. As compared to an ordinary spear, the three tines increase the chance that a fish will be struck and decrease the chance that a fish will b ...

Trishula The ''trishula'' () is a trident, a divine symbol, commonly used as one of the principal symbols in Hinduism. It is most commonly associated with the deity Shiva and widely employed in his iconography. Etymology The name ''trishula'' ultimate ...

(Indian, Southeast Asian) *

Yari is the term for a traditionally-made Japanese blade (日本刀; nihontō) in the form of a spear, or more specifically, the straight-headed spear. The martial art of wielding the is called . History The forerunner of the is thought to be a ...

(Japanese)

Polearms with axe-like blades

* Arbir (Southeast Asian) * Bardiche (European) * Bec de corbin, bec de faucon (European) * Bill, English bill, bill hook, bill guisarme (European) * Bisento (Japanese) * Chacing staff (European) *

Dagger-axe The dagger-axe () is a type of polearm that was in use from the Longshan culture until the Han dynasty in China. It consists of a dagger-shaped blade, mounted by its tang to a perpendicular wooden shaft. The earliest dagger-axe blades were m ...

, ko (Chinese) * Danish axe, hafted axe, English long axe, Viking axe, Danish longer axe (European) * Epsilon axe (European, Middle Eastern) * Fauchard (European) * Glaive (European) * Guan (kwan) dao (Chinese) * Guisarme (European) *

Halberd A halberd (also called halbard, halbert or Swiss voulge), is a two-handed polearm that was in prominent use from the 13th to 16th centuries. The halberd consists of an axe blade topped with a spike mounted on a long shaft. It may have a hook or ...

(European) * Jedwart stave (European) * Ji (Chinese) * Lochaber axe (European) * Long handled nagamaki (Japanese) * Man catcher (European) * Monk's spade (Chinese) * Naginata (Japanese) * Ngao (Southeast Asian) * Nulbjakchang, galgorichang (Korean) * Ox tongue spear (European) * Partisan, partizan (European) * Pollaxe, poleaxe (European) * Pudao (Chinese) * Romphea, romfea (Greek) * Sasumata (Japanese) *

Scythe A scythe (, rhyming with ''writhe'') is an agriculture, agricultural hand-tool for mowing grass or Harvest, harvesting Crop, crops. It was historically used to cut down or reaping, reap edible grain, grains before they underwent the process of ...

(Improvised) * Sodegarami (Japanese) * Tepoztopilli (American) * Tongi, four pointed tongi, two pointed (South Asian) * Tsukubō (Japanese) * Two handed Dacian falx (Mediterranean, Greek) *

Voulge A voulge (also spelled vouge, sometimes called a couteau de breche) is a type of polearm that existed in medieval Europe, primarily in 15th century France. Description A voulge would usually have a narrow single-edged blade (sometimes with a seco ...

(European) *

War scythe A war scythe or military scythe is a form of polearm with a curving single-edged blade with the cutting edge on the concave side of the blade. Its blade bears a superficial resemblance to that of an agricultural scythe from which it is likely ...

Polearms with spikes and hammers

* Bec de corbin (European) *

Lucerne hammer The Lucerne hammer ( ) is a type of polearm which was popular in Swiss armies during the 15th to 17th centuries. It was a combination of the bec de corbin and a pronged war hammer. Origins The weapon originates from Switzerland, and the name co ...

(European) * Zhua (Chinese)

Flexible weapons

Whips

Used for whipping. * Bullwhip (Worldwide) * Buntot Pagi (Philippinese) *

Cat o' nine tails The cat o' nine tails, commonly shortened to the cat, is a type of multi-tailed whip or flail. It originated as an implement for physical punishment, particularly in the Royal Navy and British Army, and as a judicial punishment in Britain and ...

(European) * Chain whip, jiujiebian, samjitbin, qijiebian (Chinese) *

Knout A knout (, ) is a Russian whip that consists of a rawhide (material), rawhide thong or a rope attached to a long wooden handle. Commonly used for prodding horses or cattle, knouts were also used for flagellation as a corporal punishment in Russ ...

(Eastern European) * Nagyka, nagaika, nogaika (Eastern European) * Small whips, crops (Worldwide) * Stockwhip (Australian) * Urumi, chuttuval (Indian)

Sectional and composite

Having multiple handles or holdable sections. *

Nunchaku is a traditional East-Asian martial arts weapon consisting of two sticks (traditionally made of wood), connected to each other at their ends by a short metal chain or a rope. It is approximately (sticks) and (rope). A person who has pract ...

(Okinawan) * Tabak-Toyok, chako (Southeast Asian) *

Three-section staff The three-section staff, three-part staff, triple staff, originally sanjiegun () or sansetsukon (), three-section whip, originally sanjiebian (), is a Chinese flail weapon that consists of three wooden or metal staves connected by metal rings o ...

(Okinawan, Chinese)) *

Two-section staff The two-section staff or changxiaobang () is a versatile weapon which originated in China from the ancient Shaolin temple and Shaolin martial arts. It is a Flail (weapon), flail-type weapon which consists of a long staff with a shorter rod attache ...

, xhang xiao ban, could also be considered a polearm (Chinese)

Chains and ropes

Having a heavy object attached to a flexible chain or rope. Wielded by swinging, throwing, or projecting the end, as well as wrapping, striking, and blocking with the chain or rope, sometimes attached to another type of weapon. * Chigiriki (Japanese) * Cumberjung, double ended flail, flail with quoits (Indian) * Flail, fleau d'armes, kriegsflegel (European) * Flying claws (Chinese) * Flying guillotine (Chinese) * Kusari-fundo, manrikigusari, manriki (Japanese) * Kusari-gama (Japanese) * Kyoketsu-shoge (Japanese) *

Lasso A lasso or lazo ( or ), also called reata or la reata in Mexico, and in the United States riata or lariat (from Mexican Spanish lasso for roping cattle), is a loop of rope designed as a restraint to be thrown around a target and tightened when ...

, uurga, lariat (American, Chinese) * Meteor hammer, dragon's fist, dai chui, flying hammer, sheng bao, liu xing chui (Chinese) * Rope dart, jouhyou, rope javelin, sheng biao (Japanese, Chinese) * Monkey's fist (Improvised, European, Japanese, Chinese) * Surujin, suruchin (Okinawan)

Shields

Used not only to block strikes and missiles but also swung outwardly (or in quick upward motions) to strike an opponent. Also used to rush an opponent (known as shield bashing). Some shields had spikes, sharp edges, or other offensive designs. * Aspis, oplon (Greek) * Buckler (European) *

Clipeus In the military of classical antiquity, a ''clipeus'' (; Ancient Greek: Aspis, ἀσπίς) was a large shield worn by the Ancient Greece, Greek Hoplite, hoplites and Ancient Rome, Romans as a piece of defensive armor, which they carried upon t ...

(Roman, Greek) *

Dhal Dal is a term in the Indian subcontinent for dried, split pulses. Dal or DAL may also refer to: Places Cambodia *Dal, Ke Chong Finland * Laakso, a neighbourhood of Helsinki India *Dal Lake, in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India *Dal Lake ...

(Indian) *

Heater shield The heater shield or heater-shaped shield is a form of Middle Ages, European medieval shield, developing from the early medieval kite shield in the late 12th century in response to the declining importance of the shield in combat thanks to impr ...

, heraldic shield (European) * Hide, wickerwork, leather and ceremonial shields (Tribal, Worldwide) * Hungarian shield (European) * Kite shield (European) * Lantern shield (Italian) *

Parma Parma (; ) is a city in the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna known for its architecture, Giuseppe Verdi, music, art, prosciutto (ham), Parmesan, cheese and surrounding countryside. With a population of 198,986 inhabitants as of 2025, ...

, parmula (Roman) * Peltarion (Greek) * Rattan shield (Korean, Chinese) * Round shield * Scuta, rectangular, tower and oval scutum (Roman) *

Targe The targe is a type of strapped round shield that was used by Scottish Highlanders in the early modern period. From the late 16th century, until the Battle of Culloden in 1746, the Scottish Highlander's main means of defence in battle was his ...

(European) * Nguni shield (African) * Chīmalli (American)

Thrown

Throwing blades and darts

* Chakram (Indian, Southeast Asian) * Kunai (Improvised, Japanese) * Mambele (African) * Plumbata (European) *

Shuriken A is a Japanese concealed weapon used by samurai or ninja or in martial arts as a hidden dagger or '' metsubushi'' to distract or misdirect. History The origins of the ''bo-shuriken'' in Japan are still unclear, despite continuing researc ...

(Japanese) * Swiss arrow (European) * Throwing dart (Worldwide) * Throwing knife (Worldwide)

Throwing spears

All could be used as spears, but were designed and primarily used for throwing. *

Angon The ''angon'' (Medieval Greek , Old High German ''ango'', Old English ''anga'' "hook, point, spike") is a type of javelin that was used during the Early Middle Ages by the Anglo-Saxons, Franks, Goths, and other Germanic peoples. It was similar ...

(European) * Assegai, assagai (African) *

Atlatl A spear-thrower, spear-throwing lever, or ''atlatl'' (pronounced or ; Classical Nahuatl, Nahuatl ''ahtlatl'' ) is a tool that uses leverage to achieve greater velocity in Dart (missile), dart or javelin-throwing, and includes a Plain bearing, b ...

and darts (American, Paleolithic tribes) * Falarica, phalarica (Mediterranean) *

Harpoon A harpoon is a long, spear-like projectile used in fishing, whaling, sealing, and other hunting to shoot, kill, and capture large fish or marine mammals such as seals, sea cows, and whales. It impales the target and secures it with barb or ...

(Worldwide) * Jangchang (Korean) *

Javelin A javelin is a light spear designed primarily to be thrown, historically as a ranged weapon. Today, the javelin is predominantly used for sporting purposes such as the javelin throw. The javelin is nearly always thrown by hand, unlike the sling ...

(Mediterranean) * Lancea (Mediterranean) * Mesangylon (Greek) * Metal bar, metal pipe (Improvised, Worldwide) * Northern spear (Philippinese, Southeast Asian) *

Pilum The ''pilum'' (; : ''pila'') was a javelin commonly used by the Roman army in ancient times. It was generally about long overall, consisting of an iron shank about in diameter and long with a pyramidal head, attached to a wooden shaft by eith ...

(Roman) * Soliferrum, saunion, soliferreum (Mediterranean) * Spiculum (Roman) * Vel (Indian) * Verutum (Roman) * Woomera, amirre (Australian)

Throwing axes

Could also be used as axe weapons, but were specifically designed for throwing. * Francisca, francesca (European) * Hunga munga, danisco, goleyo, njiga (African) * Hurlbat, whirlbat (European) * Kapak siam (Asian) * Nzappa zap (African) *

also an axe weapon (American)

Throwing balls

* Bolas, ayllo, liwi, qilumitautit (Central American, South American, Arctic) * Slungshot not to be confused with a

slingshot A slingshot or catapult is a small hand-powered projectile weapon. The classic form consists of a Y-shaped frame, with two tubes or strips made from either a natural rubber or synthetic elastic material. These are attached to the upper two ends ...

(Improvised, Worldwide) *

Stone In geology, rock (or stone) is any naturally occurring solid mass or aggregate of minerals or mineraloid matter. It is categorized by the minerals included, its Chemical compound, chemical composition, and the way in which it is formed. Rocks ...

, rock (Improvised, Worldwide)

Throwing sticks

Boomerang A boomerang () is a thrown tool typically constructed with airfoil sections and designed to spin about an axis perpendicular to the direction of its flight, designed to return to the thrower. The origin of the word is from Australian Aborigin ...

(Australian, Worldwide) * Knobkierrie, knopkierie, knobkerry, also a blunt weapon (African) * Rungu (East African) * Stick,

branch A branch, also called a ramus in botany, is a stem that grows off from another stem, or when structures like veins in leaves are divided into smaller veins. History and etymology In Old English, there are numerous words for branch, includ ...

(Improvised, Worldwide)

Gunpowder-based

* Abus howitzer (Turkish) *

Arquebus An arquebus ( ) is a form of long gun that appeared in Europe and the Ottoman Empire during the 15th century. An infantryman armed with an arquebus is called an arquebusier. The term ''arquebus'' was applied to many different forms of firearms ...

, caliver, hackbut, harkbus, harquebus (European) * Bajozutsu pistol (Japanese) *

Basilisk In European bestiary, bestiaries and legends, a basilisk ( or ) is a legendary reptile reputed to be a Serpent symbolism, serpent king, who causes death to those who look into its eyes. According to the ''Natural History (Pliny), Naturalis Histo ...

cannon (European) * Baton a feu hand cannon (French) * Bedil tumbak hand cannon (Indonesian) *

Blunderbuss The blunderbuss is a 17th- to mid-19th-century firearm with a short, large caliber Gun barrel, barrel. It is commonly flared at the muzzle (firearms), muzzle to help aid in the loading of Lead shot, shot and other projectiles of relevant quantity ...

, donderbus (European) * Bo-hiya rocket arrow (Japanese) * Bombard (European, Middle Eastern, Chinese) * Byzantine bombard (Greek) * Byzantine fire tube (cannon)Γεώργιος Ηλιόπουλος (Georgios Iliopoulos), "Η χαμένη πυραυλική τεχνολογία των αρχαίων Ελλήνων" (The lost missile technology of the ancient Greeks), Ιχώρ (Ihor), 27, page 12-13, Greece, 2002. (Greek) * Byzantine rocket launcherΓεώργιος Ηλιόπουλος (Georgios Iliopoulos), "Η χαμένη πυραυλική τεχνολογία των αρχαίων Ελλήνων" (The lost missile technology of the ancient Greeks), Ιχώρ (Ihor), 27, page 13, Greece, 2002. (Greek) *

Cannon A cannon is a large-caliber gun classified as a type of artillery, which usually launches a projectile using explosive chemical propellant. Gunpowder ("black powder") was the primary propellant before the invention of smokeless powder during th ...

(European, Middle Eastern, Chinese) * Cetbang cannon (Indonesian, Southeast Asian) * Che Dian Chong musket (Chinese) * Chongtong cannon (Korean) *

Culverin A culverin was initially an ancestor of the hand-held arquebus, but the term was later used to describe a type of medieval and Renaissance cannon. The word is derived from the antiquated "culuering" and the French (from " grass snake", follo ...

cannon (French) * Dardanelles bombard (Turkish) * Dulle Griet bombard (Belgian) * Ekor lotong cannon (Malaysian) * Falconet, falcon cannon (European) * Fauconneau cannon (European) * Faule Grete bombard (Polish) * Faule Mette bombard (German) * Fire arrow, rocket arrow (Chinese) *

Fire lance The fire lance () was a gunpowder weapon used by lighting it on fire, and is the ancestor of modern firearms. It first appeared in 10th–12th century China and was used to great effect during the Jin-Song Wars. It began as a small pyrotechnic de ...

, Huo Qiang lance hand cannon (Chinese) * Grose Bochse bombard (German) *

Hand cannon The hand cannon ( or ), also known as the gonne or handgonne, is the first true firearm and the successor of the fire lance. It is the oldest type of small arms, as well as the most mechanically simple form of metal barrel firearms. Unlike match ...

(European, Middle Eastern, Chinese) *

Hand mortar The hand mortar is a firearm and early predecessor of modern grenade launchers that was used in the late 17th century and 18th century to throw fused grenades. The action was similar to a flintlock, matchlock, or wheellock firearm (depending on t ...

(European) * Heilongjiang hand cannon (Chinese) * Hu Dun Pao cannon (Chinese) *

Huo Che Huo Che () or rocket carts () are several types of Chinese multiple rocket launcher developed for firing multiple fire arrows. The name ''Huo Che'' first appears in ''Feng Tian Jing Nan Ji'' (), a historical text covering the Jingnan Campaign, Jin ...

rocket arrow launcher (Chinese) * Huo Chong hand cannon (Chinese) * Hwacha rocket arrow launcher (Korean) * Istinggar arquebus (Indonesian) * Java arquebus (Indonesian) * Jiaozhi arquebus (Vietnamese) * Korean cannon * Lantaka, rentaka cannon (Philippinese, Indonesian, Malaysian, Southeast Asian) * Lela cannon (Malaysian) *

Matchlock A matchlock or firelock is a historical type of firearm wherein the gunpowder is ignited by a burning piece of flammable cord or twine that is in contact with the gunpowder through a mechanism that the musketeer activates by pulling a lever or Tri ...

** Snap matchlock * Meriam kecil hand cannon (Indonesian, Malaysian) * Mons Meg bombard (Belgian) * Mortar (European, Middle Eastern, Chinese) * Orban bombard (Turkish) * Organ gun, ribauldequin, ribauiidkin, ribault, rabauld (European) * Petronel hand cannon (European) * Pierrier a boite cannon (French) *

Pistol A pistol is a type of handgun, characterised by a gun barrel, barrel with an integral chamber (firearms), chamber. The word "pistol" derives from the Middle French ''pistolet'' (), meaning a small gun or knife, and first appeared in the Englis ...

(European) * Pot de fer cannon (French) * Prangi, pranki, pranku, paranki, pranga, parangi, prangu, parangu, piranki, pirangi, farangi, firingi, firingiha cannon (Turkish, Indian) * Pumhart von Steyr bombard (Austrian) * San Yan Chong three barrel hand cannon (Chinese) * Shou Chong hand cannon (Chinese) * Singijeon, shinkichon rocket arrow (Korean) * Tanegashima arquebus (Japanese) * Tarasnice cannon (European) * Toradar, torador arquebus (Indian) * Tu Huo Qiang hand cannon (Chinese) * Veuglaire cannon (French) * Wankou Chong cannon (Chinese) * Xanadu cannon (Chinese) * Xi Xia cannon (Chinese) * Xun Lei Chong spear five barrel revolver musket (Chinese)

Slings

* Kestros, cestrus, cestrosfendoni, kestrosfedoni (Greek) * Sling (Worldwide) * Stave sling, fustibale (Mediterranean)

Bows

Longbows

* Daikyu (Japanese) * Decurve bow * Deflex bow *

English longbow The English longbow was a powerful medieval type of bow, about long. While it is debated whether it originated in England or in Wales from the Welsh bow, by the 14th century the longbow was being used by both the English and the Welsh as ...

, warbow * Flatbow * Self bow * Welsh longbow, warbow

Recurve bows

* Cable-backed bow *

Composite bow A composite bow is a traditional bow made from horn, wood, and sinew laminated together, a form of laminated bow. The horn is on the belly, facing the archer, and sinew on the outer side of a wooden core. When the bow is drawn, the sinew (s ...

* Hungarian bow * Perso-Parthian bow

Short bows and reflex bows

* Gungdo, hwal (Korean) * Hankyu (Japanese) * Mongol bow * Turkish bow

Crossbows

Arbalest The arbalest (also arblast), a variation of the crossbow, came into use in Europe around the 12th century. The arbalest was a large weapon with a steel prod, or bow assembly. Since the arbalest was much larger than earlier crossbows, and becau ...

, arblast (European) * Bullet bow, English bullet bow, pellet crossbow (European) * Cheiroballistra, hirovallistra hand ballista (Roman, Greek) *

Crossbow A crossbow is a ranged weapon using an Elasticity (physics), elastic launching device consisting of a Bow and arrow, bow-like assembly called a ''prod'', mounted horizontally on a main frame called a ''tiller'', which is hand-held in a similar f ...

(European, Chinese) * Gastraphetes, gastrafetis (Greek) * Pistol crossbow * Repeating crossbow, chu ko nu, zhuge (Chinese) * Skåne lockbow (European) * Stone bow (European)

Blowguns

Blowgun A blowgun (also called a blowpipe or blow tube) is a simple ranged weapon consisting of a long narrow tube for shooting light projectiles such as darts. It operates by having the projectile placed inside the pipe and using the force created by ...

, blowpipe, blow tube (Worldwide) * Fukiya (Japanese)

Stationary, mounted, or wheeled ballistic devices

This section includes ballistic (missile-launching)

siege engines A siege engine is a device that is designed to break or circumvent heavy castle doors, thick city walls and other fortifications in siege warfare. Some are immobile, constructed in place to attack enemy fortifications from a distance, while othe ...

and similar larger ballistic devices which were either stationary, mounted on moving objects such as carts or elephants, or wheeled. *

Ballista The ballista (Latin, from Ancient Greek, Greek βαλλίστρα ''ballistra'' and that from βάλλω ''ballō'', "throw"), plural ballistae or ballistas, sometimes called bolt thrower, was an Classical antiquity, ancient missile weapon tha ...

(European, Asian) * Ballista elephant (Angkor) * Carroballista (Roman) *

Catapult A catapult is a ballistics, ballistic device used to launch a projectile at a great distance without the aid of gunpowder or other propellants – particularly various types of ancient and medieval siege engines. A catapult uses the sudden rel ...

(European, Asian) * Catapulta (Roman) * Efthytonon catapult (Greek) * Hu Dun Pao trebuchet (Chinese) * Mangonel (Chinese) *

Onager The onager (, ) (''Equus hemionus''), also known as hemione or Asiatic wild ass, is a species of the family Equidae native to Asia. A member of the subgenus ''Asinus'', the onager was Scientific description, described and given its binomial name ...

(Roman) *

Oxybeles The oxybeles () was a weapon used by the Ancient Greeks starting in 375 BC. The word is derived from Ancient Greek: οξύς (''oxys'' = sharp, pointed) and βέλος (''belos'' = arrow). The weapon was basically an oversized gastraphetes, a co ...

, oxyvelis ballista (Greek) * Palintonon catapult (Greek) * Polybolos, polyvolos repeating ballista (Greek) * Trebuchet (European, Asian)

Flamethrowers

* Pen Huo Qi flamethrower (Chinese) *

Greek fire Greek fire was an incendiary weapon system used by the Byzantine Empire from the seventh to the fourteenth centuries. The recipe for Greek fire was a closely-guarded state secret; historians have variously speculated that it was based on saltp ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Premodern combat weapons Weapons by period Lists of weapons