The Art of War: The Creation of Type A and B Sword During the Aegean Bronze Age

Abstract

The Bronze Age brought about new knowledge and technology throughout the Aegean world. The new-found technology the Aegean world acquired brought about the creation of the earliest swords, Type A and B, which ultimately revolutionized both combat and societal wealth. Even though the creation of the sword defined the new era of warfare, only the late sword types, Type C through Naue ii, are thoroughly discussed concerning Bronze Age combat over their predecessors, due to the high number of surviving blades. Although only a small amount of Type A and B swords have been uncovered, it is clear these earlier sword blades were deadly weapons just as much as they were elite art objects. By focusing on these swords as such, this paper seeks to highlight the duality that both the Type A and B swords represented to the peoples of the Aegean.