The Xiphos is a short, double-edged sword of Ancient Greece. It was the Close-Range weapon of the Spartan.
Description
The Xiphos had a double-edged blade that rarely measures longer than 20 inches, 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 and had close to a leaf shape.
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.