Historical Weapons: The Kopis
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- Опубликовано: 29 сен 2024
- The Kopis
The Kopis was heavy knife/short sword used by the Ancient Greeks. Although The Greeks often used these blades in warfare, the straighter and more versatile Xiphos was more widely used. However, the Kopis was ideal for mounted warfare, however, it would see widespread use in the Mediterranean in the centuries to come.
The Kopis was a one-handed sword. Early Kopis had a blade length of up to 65 cm making it almost equal in size to the later sword the spatha. However, Later Macedonian examples tended to be short with a blade length of about 48 cm.
The Kopis was a single-edged blade that pitched forward towards the point. This edge was concaved on the part of the sword nearest to the hilt but swelled towards the tip. This shaping of the blade distributed the weight in such a way the kopis was capable of delivering a blow with a similar momentum of that of an axe, whilst maintaining the long cutting edge of a sword as well as a thrust.
Despite being largely used by the Greeks, some believe that the sword has an Etruscan origin, as similar swords have been found in Etruscan territories from the 7th century BC. The sword would however also be widely used by the Persians, who often hired greeks as mercenaries to fight in their armies.
There were several similar swords to the Kopis, with the most noticeable being the Iberian sword the Falcata. However, there was also the similar greek sword the Makhaira, which was far straighter than the Kopis.
The Kopis would go on to influence many over curved swords, most noticeable was the Ottoman knife/short sabre the Yatagan. This sword was in use from the 16th to the 19th century and was used extensively in the Ottoman Turkey as well as in areas under immediate ottoman influences, such as the Balkans. This sword was primarily used by the Ottoman Janissaries as well as other infantry soldiers with lighter and smaller swords so as not to hinder them when marching.
Sources:
Cartwright, M. and Cartwright, M. (2018). Ancient Greek Warfare. [online] Ancient History Encyclopedia. Available at: www.ancient.eu... [Accessed 26 Nov. 2018].
Cartwright, M. and Cartwright, M. (2018). Etruscan Warfare. [online] Ancient History Encyclopedia. Available at: www.ancient.eu... [Accessed 26 Nov. 2018].
En.wikipedia.org. (2018). Kopis. [online] Available at: en.wikipedia.o... [Accessed 26 Nov. 2018].
Kopis, Greek, Ancient Greek, Ancient Greek Sword, Ancient Weapons, Xiphos, Sword, Cutting Sword, Ottoman Empire, Greece, Athens, Greeks at War, Hoplite, Spartan, Athenian, History Animated, Animated History, Ancient History Animated, Ancient History Guy, Ancient Greek Weapons,
#AncientGreece #Kopis #AncientHistoryGuy
Comment down below what Historical Weapons you would like to see next and ill add them to the list! :D
Maybe a carthaginian quinquereme (if i spell it right)
And you deserve way more subs
@@JamesBond-ns8di sure thing on the list!
What about the Roman gladius with scutum shield?
@@mretsam1365 sure thing on the list! :D
Why not the xiphos?
You should have more Subscribers. And you will, keep uploading great content man!
Thanks, Knowledgia! I'm up for a collaboration sometime in the future if you are interested? :)
I know, right?! Love this channel.
Helps fill in the gaps in between content from other ancient/military history channels.
You should collab with Historia Civilis too! Your styles would mesh well together and would really help boost your audience.
Thanks for the content! Cheers!
Definitely one of the coolest looking swords in my opinion.
Haha its awesome isn't it?! My favorite is the next instalment in the series. Stay tuned ;)
The anticipation is already killing me. :)
Hi I like to hear about Roman swords before republic era thanks
The fokkn' CHOPPIS
Like I asked in the previous videos, that I would love to see the seax, Dacian falx, Greek Gastraphetes, and the late Roman throwing dart.
Stay tuned! Scripts are written! :D
Το ξίφος κατάλαβα πως το μεταφράσανε σε Ksifos, αλλά το Kopis από την κοπή? Please if you can help me find the correct translation of the Kopis in my language cause I can't seem to identity the origins of the word.
Congratulations on reaching 2000 subs in less than a year! :D
Hey Quill! Thanks! Really surprised me how quickly it has grown! Here's to you reaching 2K soon mate! :D
aztec obsidian club
Ooooh that's a really good choice. Definitely on the list!
Good idea
Maybe the idea of the design spread through out the Mediterranean
I think the kopis is the inspiration for Kratos’ blades of chaos.
Because I have any idea what 68cm is..
Informative, simple and very nicely done...Kopis up! Sorry, thumbs up!
Haha! Thank you! :D
Recently subscribed to this channel because another history channel had it on the description and so far Im really enjoying it.
One question though, can someone please tell me who are the Etruscans and where do they come from?
Thank you! And the Etruscans were an Italian people that dominated Northern Italy and had a fair few wars with Rome, with several Etruscans actually being kings of Rome from time to time. They were probably one of the most influential peoples of Italy right after the Greeks, Celts and then the Latins (Romans) :)
Isn't this derived from the Iberian Falcata?
I have one
Another great video man! I think the animations were especially on point this time. I really like the light effect of the sun and the little info (like the length of the blade).
Congrats on 2,000 subscribers!!! You deserve them
Thank you! I did have to cut out a large section as it overran a bit too much, which is a shame there was quite a good joke in it, but oh well.
And thank you! I was a little surprised at how quickly I went from 1K to 2K! :D
Is there a difference between a falcata and a kopis
Nice video, I really like the weapon explanation videos. Are you interested in doing a collab at some point?
Thanks! And sure thing send me a message on Twitter and we can go from there :)
Dacian falx/thracian rhomphaia next?
The doru
It's so fascinating that people used to borrow weapon ideas from other places and modify them.etc.
Just like how countries buy guns/missiles from other countries and sometimes modify them (or copy them) today. I know you would have a lot of videos planned, are you planning to do anything related to India ?
At some point yes! Which subjects to do with ancient India would you like to see?
@@AncientHistoryGuy some of the weapons used by the Rajput or Maurya warriors, usage of Indian elephants in war, these kind of things. You've got a great channel keep it up
@@heathenfire Sure thing i'll look into them! And thanks! Plan to :)
1:09
Getting better every episode! Now we just have to wait for the subscribers.
Thank-you! :D
Somebody REACHED 2000 subs
Whoooo! Thanks! :D
gladius
Could you look at the eastern horse archers and/or cataphracts
Sure thing! :D
Ooh and if you do do it then go into detail about the Parthian shot!
Isn't the Kopis descended from the Egyptian Khopesh?
From my research its just an accidental similarity between the names. However there could be a link and I've just missed it. :)
Ah, okay, I thought they were directly related for some reason.
@@thirdtrysacharm6177 kopis litteraly means "cutter" in greek
sarissa?
Already done a video on it! Any other suggestions? :)
@@AncientHistoryGuy I have a good idea, chariots and their possible uses and equipment such as wheel spikes
@@adamorlowski4886 Sure thing! I've been a bit intimidated by animating chariots but sounds like a good challenge! On the list! :D
copy paste from Wikipedia
this is not kopis. Its falcata
The sword portrayed as kopis is a falcata...Check your facts, kopis had a more steep change of curve than the falcata :( So sad that you have made the video already
um... it a simplistic art style, your nit picks are just petty.