New study of Bronze Age sword fighting techniques

[Duncan Head]

Overview in Smithsonian Magazine here.

Original research article here. Combat methods reconstructed partly from wear marks on surviving blades.

[Anton]

A very interesting read.  I saw it earlier this morning as I was up with the Larks today. I appreciated the Pylos image in the context of the article.

[RichT]

Very interesting. Good point that the common idea of sword fighting as 'wild swing and blade parry' doesn't match actual historical fighting (perhaps for any period).

FWIW I read recently, can't remember where, that the majority of duels in Homer, can't remember what proportion, are settled by a single throw, thrust or stab - prolonged fights are rare.