Modern Replicas of
Ancient Swords

"Reviews and Info on Replica Swords of the
Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Celts and Romans..."

Ok, now don't panic - this article on ancient swords isn't an archeology lecture. ;-)

As always, my focus here as always is to identify the best value for money 'brand name' replicas, as well as where to find them at the best prices on the internet.

But unless we can get some idea of how the first ancient swords evolved, what they actually looked like, and how they were used by the early societies of the Egyptians, Greeks, Celts and Romans - trying to determine the individual merits of a particular replica is going to be an exercise in futility.

So here's a very brief overview...

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Prehistoric Swords

The predecessors of the very first ancient swords were basically pressure flaked flint and obsidian daggers - and let's be honest, we aren't going to find too many replicas of these for sale (though if you are interested, there's a nifty little site here which actually makes them for an average price of around US$150, and even sells a few books on how to create your own!).

Later, came the first copper 'swords' of the Middle East and the Mediterranean, which were again in effect nothing more than long daggers.

It wasn't until copper was alloyed with tin - creating the first bronze blades - that these ancient swords began to develop any real length, mostly as a result of new fighting techniques associated with mounted warfare sometime in the 2nd millennium BC...

One of Neil Burridge's Replica Bronze Age Swords

Unfortunately, there aren't any ready made production replicas of these particular ancient swords available in our price range.

BUT if you really want a replica of one of these ancient swords, I recommend a visit to www.bronze-age-craft.com, Neil Burridges UK based website.

Neil holds regular ancient swords bronze casting courses, has appeared on several TV documentaries and even sells a few bare blades for around GBP120 (approx USD$212) though you'll need to make up the handles yourself...

So it seems that the first production swords in our price range begin with the Ancient swords of the Egyptians.

Egyptian Swords (Khopesh)

The Egyptians actually made very little use of swords until the Iron age, but even then preferred to use them only as a back-up weapon to their bows, spears and axes.

The most notable exception was the Bronze Canaanite Sickle Sword, or Khopesh, which traces its origins to Sumeria around the third millennium BC.

While originally these ancient swords were used against the Egyptians, they were so impressed by them that they adopted them as their own and the Khopesh eventually became the very symbol of Egyptian authority, with two such swords even found in the tomb of the legendary Pharaoh/Mummy Tutankhamun (c 1350 BC).

Unfortunately for us collectors, there are very few replicas of these ancient swords on the market - and almost none of the functional ones are in our price range - except for a couple by Deepeeka of India.

Click here for more information on Ancient Egyptian Swords

Ancient Greek and Spartan Swords

The Hoplite sword was the sidearm of the heavily armed Greek foot soldier of the classical period - similar to the slightly shorter, more durable swords of their even more militant neighbours the Spartans.

The ancient swords of the Greek Hoplites were made of roughly forged steel, with a waisted, leaf shaped double edged blade around 24" long. The tang of these swords was a flat cross section of the hilt, bound on both sides by bone or wood and then covered with a thin sheet of metal.

Like the Egyptians, the Greek Hoplite sword was more of a back up weapon, with the leaf shaped blade used to slash and cut at their foes once the primary Hoplite spear had been broken, dropped or thrown.

Greek and Spartan Sword Reviews

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"Spartan Sword"

Windlass Steelcrafts

Price: US$129 to $145

OVERVIEW: Quite a historically accurate replica, and extremely tough, well made and high quality - it is a MUST for anyone who wants a real Spartan sword.

Click here for the full review

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Classic Hoplite Sword

The most commonly available replica in our price range is undoubtedly the Classic Hoplite Sword (pictured left) made by Windlass Steelcrafts.

In most respects, this is actually quite an accurate replica of these ancient swords, though it does fall down in the extremely contemporary construction of the hilt.

Despite this however, all reports to date are that it is very nicely constructed, sturdy and handles exceptionally well.

The Classic Hoplite Sword typically sells online for US$175, which in my opinion is a tad expensive for a sword of this size.

However if you know where to look, you can pick them up for just under US$150...

Click here for more information

Early Celtic Swords

The ancient swords of the 'Barbarian' Celts (circa 700-600BC) were essentially variants of Bronze age swords, only longer and heavier.

Most modern replicas of the ancient swords of the Celts tend to concentrate on the classically styled anthropomorphic (meaning, man shaped) hilt of the original La Tene sword, yet combine it with an the earlier leaf shaped blades...

Obviously, such designs are purely contemporary, and would cause considerable confusion to a Celtic Cheiftan who happened to stumble upon one deep in an ancient Druidic forest grove...!

The majority of these Celtic swords are wall hangers or poorly constructed and very cheap 'functional' swords with thin tangs and poorly forged blades.

However, there are a couple that - despite being only loosely historically accurate ('historically inspired'?) there are at least a couple worth looking at...

CELTIC Sword Reviews

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"Celtic Anthropomorphic Sword"

Generation 2

Price: US$161 to $179

OVERVIEW: A simple design made from all natural materials, this somewhat heavy sword may look a little contemporary but it is actually one of Generation 2's most effective cutters. Review by Paul Southren (ed).

Click here for the full review

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"Celtic Sword"

Kris Cutlery

PRICE: US$229 to $250

OVERVIEW:Not the most historically accurate piece on the market, but arguably the most beautiful and functional. Blade is extremely well shaped, durable and sharp. Highly recommended.

Click here for the full review

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Swords of the Roman Legions

Believed to have been adopted by the Romans from Spanish Mercenaries during the first Punic War, the Roman Gladius became the standard issue infantry weapon of the Roman legions. As such, the Gladius was destined to become the sword that conquered the world, and it saw service in the Roman armies for at least 250 years.

Fully capable of piercing a mail shirt, the Gladius was a short, double edged stabbing sword around 20-24" long and 2" wide with a grip with four ridges to fit the fingers and a characteristic bulbous pommel. While these ancient swords themselves were typically quite simple, the wooden, leather covered scabbards were anything but - with lavish ornamentation and a distinctive 4 ring suspension system.

Despite the fact that there are more replicas of Roman swords than any other ancient swords on the market, getting an accurate replica of a Roman Gladius is no easy task.

Indeed, if you ask the likes of Matthew Amt from his LARP (live action role playing) website he'll tell you that most modern production replicas simply don't cut the mustard and need a fair amount of modification to bring them into line with the historical originals.

Interestingly, Matthew also notes that "modern reproduction gladii are generally made of better steel than their ancient counterparts, and finished to a much more exacting degree."

Matthew recommends that the best production Roman swords around are produced by Deepeeka of India (pictured right).

While their swords are as far from perfect, they are the closest to the originals of any production pieces, though tend to be rather poorly balanced. The best prices for Deepeeka Roman replica swords online are to be found at either The Aurora History Botique (who also stock a massive range of historical replica items from all time periods) or Kult of Athena who are famous in the sword community for their fast shipping, good customer service and extremely low pricing strategies.

Windlass Steelcrafts also makes some reasonable facsimiles, such as the earlier Mainz-Pattern Gladius and the later Pompeii Gladius. While these swords may not be as close to the originals as those produced by Deepeeka, they are on the whole better balanced and made from higher quality, properly heat treated steel.

Many people over at Sword Forum International are quite fond of the Roman Gladius made by Kris Cutlery, which at US$275 + shipping (which used to be $195 not so long ago actually) is described as a superbly balanced, durable and nicely made sword for the money. Only problem is, apart from the price, it is almost always on backorder with at least a 3 month waiting period...

For more information on the Deepeeka, Windlass and the Kris Cutlery lines of Roman swords, click here

However, not being a reenactor myself, I don't mind my ancient swords a little more contemporary...

ROMAN Sword Reviews

"Roman Wasp Waisted Gladius"

Generation 2

PRICE: US$179 to $199

OVERVIEW: A very contemporary sword more historically inspired than accurate, but extremely durable and a great tribute to the Roman Gladius.

Click here for the full review

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"The Praetorian"

Valiant Armoury

PRICE: US$159 to $219

OVERVIEW: Incredibly well balanced, strong and extremely attractive - this is easily the most attractive tribute to a Gladius on the market at the sub US$300 point.

Click here for the full review

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"Pompeii Gladius"

Windlass Steelcrafts

PRICE: US$149 to $190

OVERVIEW: One of the most historically accurate replicas at the low end price point, Roberts demanding tests also reveal that it is eminently sturdy as well.

Click here for the full review

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"Pompeii Gladius"

Generation 2

PRICE: US$179 to $199

OVERVIEW: Generation 2's cousin of the Wasp Waisted Gladius. Very similar sword as above but with a straight blade.

Click here for the full review

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"Roman Pugio"

Windlass Steelcrafts

PRICE: US$69 to $95

OVERVIEW: A decent and low cost Roman dagger that has it's cosmetic and historical accuracy issues, but is still a good buy for the money.

Click here for the full review

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"Roman Gladius"

Kris Cutlery

PRICE: US$249 to $275

OVERVIEW: Probably the best combination between historical accuracy and functionality, Kris Cutleries homage to the Gladius is also an exceptionally strong blade.

Click here for the full review

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"Maintz Gladius"

Deepeeka

PRICE: US$149 to $198

OVERVIEW: THE most historically accurate sub US$300 Gladius, but unfortunately not very functional by modern standards.

Click here for the full review

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Further Resources

I've already mentioned Matthew Amt's Roman LARP website but there are several others dedicated to Live Action Role-playing from many different ancient eras to be found at the LARP hub homepage here including Matthew Amps other Greek Hoplite Page and many more that are a great source for creating your own props, modifying swords and much, much more...

There are also several very good books that I suggest you read, including my favourite which features a timeline of swords from ancient times to the present Swords and Hilt Weapons by Michael D. Coe, et, al. I used this book when researching some of the more obscure facts presented in this article and highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in swords, ancient and otherwise.

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ANCIENT SWORDS INDEX

SUB-ARTICLES

Where to find Replicas of Ancient Egyptian Swords (for under US$300)
Spartan Swords - Size Doesn’t Matter... (includes hands on review)
Reasonably Historically Accurate Replicas of Ancient Greek Swords

HANDS ON REVIEWS

Anthropomorphic Celtic Sword (Generation 2) - Review by Paul Southren
Celtic Sword (Kris Cutlery) - Review by CS76CS Chris
Roman Wasp Waisted Gladius (Generation 2) - Review by Paul Southren
The Praetorian (Valiant Armoury) - Review by Paul Southren
Pompeii Gladius (Windlass Steelcrafts) – Review by Robert Betts
Popeii Gladius (Generation 2) - Review by Mike Harris
Roman Pugio (Windlass Steelcrafts) - Review by Burninator
Roman Gladius (Kris Cutlery) - Review by Richard Williams
Maintz Gladius (Deepeeka) - Review by Richard Williams

I hope this information on Ancient swords has been helpful. To return to sword-buyers-guide Homepage from Modern Replicas of Ancient Swords, click here.