The Egyptian Khopesh | Weapons of History

The khopesh, a distinctive sickle-shaped sword, stands as an iconic symbol of ancient Egyptian warfare. This unique weapon, with its characteristic curved blade, played a pivotal role in the military strategies of the time and left an undeniable mark on the pages of history.
A typical khopesh measures 50-60 cm (20-24 inches) in length, although variations in size exist. The weapon's design exhibits a pronounced inside curve, a feature that served a dual purpose in battle.The khopesh's curvature enabled its wielder to deftly pull an opponent's shield out of the way, paving the path for a decisive strike.
The transition from bronze to iron during the New Kingdom period marked a significant technological advancement for the khopesh. This shift in materials mirrored broader developments in ancient metallurgy, enhancing the durability and effectiveness of the weapon on the battlefield. The earliest known depiction of a khopesh is found on the Stele of the Vultures, showcasing King Eannatum of Lagash wielding the weapon. This historical artifact, dating back to at least 2500 BC, provides a tangible link to the ancient origins of the khopesh.
The blade of the khopesh is sharpened exclusively on the outer portion of the curved end, a design that highlights its distinct ancestry from epsilon or similar crescent-shaped axes used in earlier warfare. This unique blade configuration contributed to the khopesh's effectiveness in close combat, allowing for precise strikes and versatile maneuvering.
Despite its prominence in the tales of ancient Egyptian warfare, the khopesh fell out of common use around 1300 BC. However, its legacy endured beyond its heyday, as evidenced by the 196 BC Rosetta Stone, where it is referenced as the "sword" determinative in hieroglyphs. The inscription on the Rosetta Stone, mentioning the setting up of a statue with a royal sword of victory, reflects the symbolic significance attributed to the khopesh even in later periods.
Numerous depictions of pharaohs wielding the khopesh adorn historical records, emphasizing its association with royal authority and military prowess. Archaeological discoveries, such as the two examples found in Tutankhamun's royal graves, further underscore the cultural and ceremonial importance attached to this distinctive weapon.
One intriguing aspect of the khopesh is the variation in blade sharpness observed in archaeological specimens. While some examples exhibit clearly sharpened edges, others feature dull edges, suggesting that certain khopeshes found in high-status graves may have served ceremonial rather than functional purposes. This dual nature of the khopesh adds a layer of complexity to our understanding of its role in ancient Egyptian society.
In conclusion, the khopesh, with its sickle-shaped elegance and battlefield utility, remains an enduring symbol of ancient Egyptian martial prowess. From its humble origins as a crescent-shaped axe to its evolution into a finely crafted iron sword, the khopesh left an undeniable mark on the military history of the ancient world. Its legacy, preserved in art, inscriptions, and archaeological finds, continues to captivate and illuminate the rich tapestry of ancient Egyptian civilization.
SOURCES:
www.worldhisto...
www.britannica...
__________________________________________________________________________
SUBSCRIBE NOW : bit.ly/3aYZCOh
PATREON : bit.ly/3b0VixZ
MERCH : bit.ly/2X4d8rX
__________________________________________________________________________
MUSIC : by Alexander Nakarada
Music: by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License
__________________________________________________________________________
Khopesh,Bronze Age weapons,Bronze Age,Axe,Weapon Axe,Ancient Egypt,Ancient Egyptian,Egypt,Egypt History,History of Axes,Ancient Egyptian Weapons,Weapons of History,Ancient Egyptian Army,Ancient Weapons,Ancient Warfare,Ancient History,World History,Animated History,Ancient History Guy
#ancientegypt #egypt #AncientHistoryGuy

[@brokenbridge6316]

I really enjoyed using this weapon in Assassin's Creed: Origins. It was certainly helpful in getting around an enemies shield and I loved it's Bleeding on Hit ability. Saved my bacon a lot in the early days. I even fell in love with a special one of a kind Kopesh weapon that I had to buy in game. But it's been worth it in the end IMO. Nice video.

[@novahoth3406]

Hands down my favorite sword

[@pokeylope6108]

Prob one of my favorite historical weapons.

[@rnanni1048]

Iconic Egyption weapon

[@Gibson7Clans]

nice. love this weapon. :D

[@philRminiatures]

I do like this weapon...and your video!

[@andrewbayada2475]

This weapon inspired the creation of the war hammer. And is regarded as a type of war hammer itself.

[@CT--rg2fu]

can we see a video on the Mamertine.

[@HelenAlcala-l4g]

Wellington Radial

[@HenleyVeromca-b8i]

Candelario Mount

[@landlockedcroat1554]

undertated weapon

[@SpeedDemon_Editzzz]

The Ancient Communist Sickle🥶🔥💯

[@owenlindkvist5355]

That's not fair. Unlike communism, this weapon had a function.

[@Exodus26.13Pi]

...Exodus 26:13 ≈ π...
Pi was first recorded by Moses in 1440 BC. Josephus the Historian's description of the Tabernacle in 94 AD was inaccurate. This oversight was discovered in 2015 AD.
330 Exodus 26 :7
15 Exodus 26:12
- 1 Exodus 26:13 makes Pi
= 314
3.14 = 314 circumference/100 diameter ≈ π ratio (100 cubit court per Exodus 27:9-18)
.................
This Wilderness Tabernacle archeological discovery is similar to the Dead Sea Scrolls and Martin Luther's 95 Theses.
.................
History of finding π:
-(1900-1680) One Babylonian tablet indicates a value of 3.125 for π
-(1650 BC) The Rhind Papyrus the Egyptians gave the approximate value of π 3.1605
-(1440 BC) Moses recorded Pi in the Exodus blueprints rediscovered in (2015 AD) 3.141592653... or Exodus 26:13 ≈ Pi
-(500 BC) India's Aryabhata approximation was 62,832/20,000, or 3.1416
-(429-501 BC) Zu Chongzhi a Chinese mathematician 3.1415926 - 3.1415927
-(250 BC) Archimedes from Syracuse showed between 3.1408 and 3.1429
.................
The knowledge of Pi was lost from Exodus near 900 BC. Josephus the Historian in 94 AD did NOT know about Exodus 26:13 makes Pi to properly explain the Tabernacle blueprints. He deferred to the Temple's structure and not Exodus 26-27.
Pi is found in the spiral of the double helix in your DNA.
Consider that King Josiah & the Prophetess Huldah rediscovered a "Book of the Law" right? In short, this monumental oversight was corrected in 2015.
This technology has been lost for 3000 years.
...Exodus 26:13 ≈ π...