Spartans had TINY swords #history #spartan #military #ancient #tactics #martialarts

[alexnovak]

When the Romans do it it's genius, but when the Spartans did it everyone wonders why.

[ger]

It’s almost as if ancient people knew what they were doing 😅

[kulitzdragon]

I remember this badass response from a Spartan when asked why their swords are so short; “Still long enough to reach your heart.”

[Technoanima]

Yep. Everyone forgets the Spartan sword is in the context of Sword and Shield.

[stephenpiper]

Primarily fought with spears, great in formation, shortest of boys for swords, cause anything bigger and you smacking your buds.

[vegancardigan]

It makes sense in the situation, also is that bilbo's sting?

[scribesorcerer]

Remember kids: Weapons are tools. Always bring the right tool to the right situation if possible.

[FireDragonArmy]

It’s still long enough to reach your heart.

[JimmyJones-wp]

Having a short 'sword' was a sign of high intelligence also. Whereas a long 'sword' meant the wielder was more stupid and barbaric.
*It's not the size of the 'sword' it's how you use it. -Sun Tzu

[artsy_dragon_creations]

So they help prevent friendly fire, and have the same rules as dual wielding where the longer the weapon the more awkward it becomes when they get close, and when they’re usually in grappling distance it’s easier to poke and swipe with a shorter stick

[superbeltman]

“Babe, I’m just in a battle formation”

[bogiberson]

An added bonus is that it glows when orcs are near

[asa-punkatsouthvinland]

One shouldn't question why Spartans had short swords but rather why other Greeks often used longer swords.

[RRRRRRRRRRR]

So basically it's faster to swap to your tiny sword than replacing your spear

[michaelkeha]

Greek Spartans is like saying United States of American Texan

[ethannot-apastafarian]

Reminds me of a Zatoichi moment where one of the enemies draws his katana and accidentally cuts the guy next to him

[jessebechtold]

They’re also great against large magical spiders up in desolate mountain passes.

[mrkiky]

Listen honey, I know it looks small, but it's quite handy when my buddies are up right next to me.

[sorkeror]

The real reason for the length of the swords is the materials that were in use, if you make a longsword from bronze, it will break very quickly, as a rule of thumb, the longer the blade, the more flexible you want it, and bronze work hardens, meaning prolonged use and impacts will make it more and more brittle.

[brianhiles]

Your supposition about the “tiny“ swords of the Laconians/Spartans, is incomplete.

Sure, the well understood observation about the practicalities of blade length in the Spartan _phalanx_ and close-quarter combat, is of course valid.

However, your light steel replica of the Spartan _xiphos_ is inadequate to reveal its use and design. The ancient blade was fabricated from (wrought) iron, which is both softer _and_ more brittle than steel; therefore, more material was necessary to compensate for is susceptibility to bend or break. Consequently, the blade was typically about 15 mm thick and a kilogram in weight.

Affix lead weight to your replica, and whip it about as if your continued existence was dependent on doing so. You will discover that the Spartan sword _cannot_ be much longer, which is to say, heavier and bigger.

Incidentally, the Spartans favored the dore and javelin anyway.