Short-sword, Luristan, 5th century B.C.

Slender tappering double-edged blade with a rounded mid-rib on both sides, rounded pommel with middle ridge on top

Note
The xiphos is a double-edged, one-handed straight shortsword. This secondary battlefield weapon has been used if the crush of a battle made a spear useless or if it was broken. The classic length of the blade was about 50–60 cm long, although the Spartans version was as short as 30 cm. It was generally hung from a baldric under the left arm.

Provenance
Private collection, Switzerland, acquired 1972