Xiphos



The Xiphos is a short, double-edged sword of Ancient Greece.

Description
The Xiphos had a double-edged blade about 20-24 inches (50-60 cm) long, though the Spartans started using blades as short as 12 inches (30 cm) around the time of the Greco-Persian War. The blade widened near the tip.

Uses
The shape of the Xiphos allowed it to be used both for slashing and thrusting. It was the secondary weapon for the hoplite, used when the Dory spear was lost or broken.