Iberian Swords
Two of the oldest and most important peoples of the Iberian Peninsula were the Celts and the Iberians. They were primarily farmers and herders, but also great warriors. They were known worldwide for their great mastery in forging.
These swords had a long, narrow blade, shaped like a triangle with convex edges.
The blade of Iberian swords was made of metal, usually iron, and had a single edge. The hilt was usually made of wood or bone and was decorated with different materials, such as ivory or bronze. In some cases, the hilt also had disc-shaped or crescent-shaped guards to protect the wielder's hand.
Iberian swords were mainly used by Iberian warriors in battle and were considered very effective weapons thanks to their elegant design and sharp blade.
Types of Iberian Swords
Among the most widely used and well-known Iberian swords of the Iberian Peninsula are the Falcata, the Celtic or Téne sword, and the Hispaniensis.
Iberian Falcata
The Falcata appeared in the 5th century BC, with three theories that could explain its origin. According to one of them, the origin of the Falcata lies in Iron Age knives. According to another theory, the Falcata could be a version of a Greek weapon, similar to the kopis. The last of the theories suggests that the Falcata was a creation of the Iberian people themselves, although this version is the least likely of all.
The term Falcata is not the original and proper name of this weapon, but was proposed by Fernando Fulgosio, a Spanish archaeologist and historian of the 20th century, and refers to the shape of the sword's blade.
Characteristics of the Falcata
The Iberians attached great importance not only to the combat capabilities of their weapons but also to their aesthetic appearance, so it can be said with certainty that Iberian swords like the Falcata were among the most spectacular swords in the world.
The blade of this Iberian sword is curved, asymmetrical, and short (around 50 cm), usually single-edged. Its peculiar shape places the sword's center of gravity in the middle of the blade, and also moves the cutting point closer to the tip. This increases the power of the cuts without unbalancing the sword.
The blade almost always had some kind of decoration, since forging was considered a type of art and not a simple manufacture. The most sophisticated decorations were made using damascene or atajía techniques, with engravings filled with silver threads.
The one-handed hilt was slightly offset to one side relative to the axis of the Falcata. The hilt was not considered a mere functional part of the sword. Its shape resembles a hook, and it is sometimes joined to the blade by a rivet or a small chain, thus forming a complete guard. The pommel of the Falcata usually had the shape of a horse's or griffin's head.
The Téne or Celtic Sword
The name of this sword derives from the culture it comes from. La Téne was an Iron Age Celtic culture, originating in the Swiss Alps region and extending through central Europe, mainly eastern Spain and Galicia, as well as the British Isles and France.
The La Téne sword appeared approximately in the 5th century BC. It was one of the swords most feared by the Romans, due to the horrific wounds it inflicted.
Characteristics of the La Téne sword
La Téne was a straight-bladed, double-edged, and long sword, about 70-90 cm, which was quite unusual for this period. It was a slashing sword, whereas piercing weapons were more commonly used at this time.
The hilt of the Celtic sword was quite peculiar due to its shape, which resembled a simplified human figure. In this, the pommel corresponded to the head of the figure, the grip was the body, and the handguard was formed from the legs.
Gladius Hispaniensis
The name of this Iberian sword was given by the Romans when they encountered this powerful weapon, which caused both fear and fascination. Fascination reached such a point that the Hispaniensis sword was copied, modified, and converted into the most used weapon of the Roman army.
Characteristics of the Hispaniensis Gladius
Hispaniensis was the evolution of the Celtic sword La Téne. It was much shorter than its predecessor, with its blade length varying between 50 and 70 cm.
The grooved hilt was carved from wood, bone, or ivory. The carving was practically anatomical to improve its grip. The pommel of the Hispaniensis, which was spherical, also served the same function. The handguard was made of wood, but it had a brass piece placed on top to prevent an enemy sword from piercing it.
In this category, we offer you the opportunity to discover a carefully curated and wide selection of the most fascinating Iberian swords: falcatas, Celtic swords, Gladius Hispaniensis, crafted with the best materials, and with a level of forging that could make ancient masters envious.