Acinaces
Type of Scythian short sword / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The acinaces, also transliterated as akinakes (Greek ἀκῑνάκης) or akinaka (unattested Old Persian *akīnakah, Sogdian kynʼk) is a type of dagger or xiphos (short sword) used mainly in the first millennium BCE in the eastern Mediterranean Basin, especially by the Medes,[1] Scythians, Persians and Caspians,[2] then by the Greeks.[3]
The acinaces, of Scythian origin, but made famous by the Persians, rapidly spread throughout the ancient world. The Romans believed that this weapon originated with the Medes.[3]
The acinaces is typically 40–60 cm (14–18 in.) in length and double-edged,[3] and although there is no universal design, the guard may be lobed[4][failed verification] with the hilt resembling that of a bollock dagger, or the pommel may be split[5] or of the "antenna" type.[6] The scabbard – as much as anything else – defines the acinaces, and usually has a large decorative mount near the opening, allowing it to be suspended from a belt on the wearer's right side.[7][3]