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Catapults and crossbows exude a certain straightforward mechanical beauty that modern weapons like missiles and rifles can’t quite replicate. Swords and shields bring to mind a distant era of knightly valor and honor, where combat was a personal, face-to-face affair fought by warriors who devoted their lives to mastering the art of battle.
We often get so caught up in these images that we forget that, just like today, warfare in ancient times was in constant evolution. Armies were constantly innovating with new strategies and weaponry to gain the upper hand over their foes.
A prime example of this is the Battle of Agincourt. The English army, largely composed of peasants armed with longbows, defeated the heavily armored French knights with their armor-piercing bodkin arrows. Afterward, the English pressed the attack in close combat, using mallets to break the French armor or stabbing through the gaps in their plate mail with knives.
But ancient combat was filled with even more extraordinary and unusual weapons as different cultures across the globe created inventive ways to harm their enemies. Here are 10 astonishing ancient weapons that you’ve likely never heard of.
10. The Man Catcher
One of the most unusual weapons in history, the man catcher was more commonly used in the streets of cities rather than on the battlefield. Interestingly, it was one of the rare medieval weapons specifically designed to capture an opponent without causing harm or death.
While some variations of the man catcher featured spikes meant to cause injury, the majority consisted of a simple wooden pole with a two-pronged, blunt fork at the end. These were primarily used by medieval town watchmen and guards to subdue miscreants or criminals by pinning their limbs until backup arrived or they calmed down.
Though less commonly used in battle, the man catcher did occasionally make an appearance on the field. In these instances, it was often a more intricate design, incorporating sharpened spikes and spring-loaded mechanisms to ensnare the victim’s limbs.
They were occasionally used to pull enemies off their horses, although this required great skill. More often, they were employed to capture wealthy nobles and take them as prisoners, with the intention of ransoming them for a hefty sum once the battle had ended.
While there are no definitive records on when the man catcher first appeared, it was used throughout the Middle Ages across the globe—from Europe to Japan. It remained in use as a law enforcement tool well into the 1600s.
9. The Bagh Nakh
The bagh nakh (“tiger’s claw”) was an unusual weapon created in India. While its exact origins remain unclear, it gained widespread use after being adopted by the Nihang Sikh warriors sometime after 1500.
In essence, the bagh nakh was a type of knuckle duster, easily hidden in the palm. It consisted of four or five metal claws, which were used to slash at an opponent. The Nihang Sikhs often carried them in their turbans as concealed weapons, though they also wielded them in battle when needed.
These were also used for covert attacks and even assassination. One of the most famous instances of this was during the meeting between General Afzhal Khan and Emperor Shivaji.
Both men had agreed to meet without weapons, but Shivaji, anticipating trouble, brought armor and a bagh nakh. When Khan made an unexpected attack, Shivaji used the bagh nakh to kill Khan and save his own life.
8. The Caltrop
Though it remains a relatively obscure weapon even today, the caltrop has been used effectively for over 2,000 years. Its simplest form consists of a piece of iron shaped into four equal points.
The caltrop is designed so that when dropped, one of its points will always face directly upward. This clever design made it easy to scatter them quickly across a large area, as no special skill was required to deploy them.
The first recorded use of caltrops comes from the Roman Empire, where Roman writers mentioned the use of murex ferreus (“jagged iron objects”) to disrupt horse-drawn chariots in battles across Europe. They were used as early as the Battle of Carrhae in 53 BC, with possible earlier references dating back to Alexander’s campaigns in Persia around 331 BC.
Caltrops were used worldwide—from Japan, where the spikes were typically no longer than 2.5 centimeters (1 in), to India, where larger, more intricate caltrops were used to stop the charges of war elephants.
Although their use diminished with the advent of gunpowder, caltrops were still occasionally employed in later years. In fact, they were used as antipersonnel weapons during the Korean War to thwart ambushes and continue to be used today to immobilize vehicles.
7. The Bill Hook
Derived from the agricultural bill hook, the martial version—often referred to as the “English bill” or simply the “bill”—was a commonly used weapon during the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Its simple design and versatility made it a favored choice for many impoverished soldiers and conscripted peasants.
The bill hook’s design varied across Europe, but it consistently functioned as a multipurpose weapon. Its wide, curved head could be used to slash in a manner similar to a glaive, while the small hook at the end was capable of catching armor edges and pulling opponents to the ground or off their horses. Some versions also featured a long spike at the top, enabling them to serve as spears or pikes when necessary.
By the 1500s, bill hooks fell out of favor across Europe, replaced by the pike and arquebus. However, professional soldiers in England continued to use the old bill-and-bow combination well into the Battle of Flodden, by which time the Scots had abandoned the bill hook. Some examples of English bills have even been discovered in Jamestown, suggesting they were still in use as late as 1607.
6. Lantern Shield
During the early Renaissance, Italy was the epicenter of innovation and culture. Whether in art, science, or engineering, the most brilliant minds gathered in the Italian states, where their endeavors were often funded by affluent princes and merchants.
Italy, particularly Milan, was also renowned for crafting the finest and most extravagant armor in Europe. The wealthiest and most fashionable individuals sought Italian smiths to create their personal armor.
It’s no surprise then that one of the most bizarre and intricate shields in history was designed in Renaissance Italy. With a strong dueling culture prevalent among the youth, many young men would venture out at night to either stir up trouble or engage in prearranged duels. This led to the invention of the lantern shield.
Initially, lantern shields were basic shields designed with a hook or another secure spot to attach a lantern, allowing those who engaged in duels after dark to maintain visibility. Over time, however, the design evolved, and by the peak of the Renaissance, the most sophisticated lantern shields featured various enhancements: serrated gauntlets to catch and break an opponent’s sword, protruding spikes from the shield’s front, and even sword blades integrated into the shield itself, transforming it into a weapon.
The most peculiar feature of these shields was a small flap, covered with leather. The user would place a lantern behind this flap. According to dueling manuals from the era, the flap could be used to temporarily blind an opponent, rendering them momentarily incapacitated.
5. Fletched Javelin
While many are familiar with the javelin’s use in the Greek and Roman worlds, fewer know that javelins continued to be utilized throughout the medieval period and beyond.
In fact, medieval javelins were more refined than their ancient predecessors and boasted significantly greater accuracy. Known as fletched javelins, these specialized weapons featured feather fletchings on the bottom of their shafts, which helped stabilize the javelin during flight.
Resembling oversized arrows, these javelins appeared regularly in medieval art. They were crafted differently from regular javelins, using lighter, less durable wood for the shaft but incorporating larger and heavier heads to increase damage upon impact. They were particularly popular during the early medieval period but saw a decline as the longbow and crossbow gained prominence.
The fletched javelin was also used in other parts of the world. Native cultures in the Americas used a special sling called an atlatl. This wooden device enabled users to throw a fletched javelin with twice the force of a regular throw by simply flicking the wrist. A similar leather sling was used by the ancient Greeks to launch javelins, although it fell out of use long before the Middle Ages.
While there isn’t a specific term for these medieval javelins, they are most often referred to as fletched javelins or war darts. Due to their throwing nature and fletchings, they are technically considered darts, though they likely wouldn’t be accepted at your local darts club.
4. Chakram
While throwing knives are commonly featured in our television shows and video games, the Indian counterpart, a battle quoit, is even more extraordinary. A sharpened metal disc, known as the chakram or chakkar, essentially serves as a war frisbee.
Used for centuries by the nomadic Akali Nihang Sikhs, the chakram’s origins can be traced back more than 2,000 years. These discs can vary greatly in size, from just larger than a hand to up to 0.6 meters (2 feet) across.
The chakram can be thrown in various ways. The most common method involves spinning the disc on a finger and releasing it quickly. Underarm throws, which launch the disc vertically, are also popular. They can be thrown while moving, and diagonal throws can build up tremendous speed for extra impact.
In battle, soldiers in the back ranks would launch chakrams high into the air to strike their enemies' heads. Warriors carried these weapons on their arms, allowing them to bring up to a dozen into combat. The larger versions were worn around the neck.
They were also effective in close combat, able to slash any adversary who attempted to grapple with them. If necessary, they could even serve as effective weapons for close-quarters battles.
3. Kpinga
Throwing a knife requires a considerable amount of skill. Not only must the user be capable of accurate throws, which takes practice in itself, but they also need to assess the distance and determine the best angle to ensure that the sharp end strikes the target.
Cultures from all over the world have developed various methods to address this challenge. Like the chakram mentioned earlier, the Japanese shuriken is lethal no matter which part of the weapon strikes the target, while the boomerang, with its larger surface area, can cause significant damage.
The Azande people of Africa found an alternative solution. They crafted the kpinga, a throwing knife with multiple blades positioned so that the enemy would be struck by a sharpened edge regardless of how it was thrown. These knives were most commonly thrown overhead, though they could also be thrown sidearm, with low throws targeting the enemy's legs.
The kpinga was a symbol of prestige, a marker of status that was granted only to individuals of wealth and influence—or to seasoned warriors. The right to craft these weapons was exclusively held by the Avongara clan, and they were sometimes included in the dowry during weddings.
They were so highly regarded that warriors were expected to announce their action by shouting, signaling that they were throwing their knife, ensuring it wasn't simply discarded carelessly.
2. Khopesh
The khopesh is among the earliest known weapons in history to be entirely made of metal. The first examples were crafted in Mesopotamia around 2500 BC. Its design rapidly spread to Egypt, where it became the weapon of choice for the warrior class—and is arguably considered the world’s first sword.
Swords in the form we know today became widespread in the 16th century BC, but before that, the khopesh was the dominant weapon in the Near East. However, whether or not the khopesh qualifies as a true sword is still a topic of debate. It evolved from the sickle, a farming tool, and the axe, which had been adapted for use in combat.
The result was a distinctive, curved weapon with a sharp, axe-like edge and substantial metal behind it, making it equally effective at smashing through armor as it was at cutting. Its pointed tip also made it suitable for thrusting attacks.
The khopesh was one of the most sophisticated weapons of its time, but it came with a hefty price tag. Only professional warriors and the nobility could afford one, which quickly turned it into a symbol of Egypt’s ruling class.
As time passed, more and more khopeshes were produced with dull edges, likely crafted for ornamental purposes or as offerings for burial. By the end of the pharaohs' reign, these weapons were often found in the tombs of the greatest rulers.
1. Net
Nets have been a part of warfare for countless generations, but their prominence peaked during the gladiatorial contests of ancient Rome. These games, initially designed to replicate real-life battles, featured gladiators outfitted in armor typical of either Romans or their adversaries. Over time, however, the gladiatorial games—and the gladiators themselves—evolved into a cultural phenomenon of their own.
Most gladiators sported grand, intricate helmets, ranging from those adorned with animal crests to those with exaggerated, ornamental decorations. While these helmets were certainly striking, they could also place the fighter at a disadvantage, particularly when facing off against a retiarius.
A retiarius was a gladiator armed with a trident and a net. He would use his net to entangle his opponent’s helmet, dragging him to the ground. Retiarii were among the most beloved gladiators in ancient Rome, often adored by the crowd.
Since they wore minimal armor and their weapons were relatively inexpensive, retiarii were among the most common gladiators. In fact, a special class of gladiators was created specifically to counter the effectiveness of the retiarii.
This class, known as the secutor, wore a simple helmet with no crest to prevent it from being caught by the retiarius's net. Additionally, the secutor's helmet featured small eye holes, protecting him from the trident's thrust to the eyes.
By the close of the first century AD, this gladiatorial matchup became one of the most favored pairings in the arena. It continued to be a staple until the fall of the Roman Empire.
