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The epic battles of history have long captured our imaginations. We envision armies numbering in the thousands, charging at one another in an overwhelming surge of fury, each side unleashing their rage. Both history and pop culture have greatly idealized many of the weapons from the past, fueling fascination while also leading to the spread of numerous misconceptions.
10. War Hammers Were Likely Not What You Imagine
Many individuals have a completely skewed perception of war hammers due to their portrayal in popular media, especially in video games. These weapons are often shown with extremely long handles and heads that are at least the size of a human. Most people, accustomed to these representations, accept them as accurate, but in truth, the reality is quite different.
A hammer like those seen in video games would be highly impractical. The sheer weight of the head would make it difficult to wield, and the oversized handle would only add to its unwieldiness. In contrast, actual war hammers featured much shorter handles. They were not significantly larger than regular hammers and included a piercing end at the back rather than a prying one like modern hammers. This design made them an effective and formidable weapon, capable of both crushing and piercing armor as needed.
9. Spears Were Far More Crucial Than Most People Think
Swords are often idealized in all forms of popular media, and while video games may feature a variety of weapons like hammers and axes, spears are frequently overlooked. If you ask most people today, they would likely choose a sword as their weapon of choice for close combat. However, throughout recorded history, some type of spear has consistently been the most widely used weapon.
Some believe this is simply because spears were easy to mass-produce, requiring minimal metal. However, long before metal became widespread, spears were already in widespread use. Their effectiveness and versatility are key. A spear can keep enemies at a distance, perform slashing and stabbing motions, and even be adapted for long-range combat when necessary. Additionally, spears can be thrown as a ranged weapon if needed.
8. Guns Have A Long History of Use in Battle Dating Back to the Middle Ages
Many individuals assume that the development of firearms follows a straightforward, linear path of technological advancement. However, the actual history of gun usage is far more complex. When gunpowder was first discovered by the Chinese, its knowledge spread quickly across the globe, sparking widespread enthusiasm for experimentation. It was heavily utilized in warfare due to its novelty, though its popularity waned relatively quickly due to the limitations of the technology at the time.
Nevertheless, gunpowder-based siege weapons eventually came into play, marking the decline of castles as the dominant fortifications of the Middle Ages. Even so, the widespread use of guns didn’t follow a steady, continuous development until much later, when firearms became the primary weapon of choice in modern warfare.
7. Gunblades Were Actually Used in History
Many video game enthusiasts, particularly fans of the Final Fantasy series, have dreamed of a weapon called a gunblade, which is essentially a revolver with a sword attached. Some fans wonder why no one has ever tried to create one and criticize weapon makers for lacking creativity, but gunblades have been attempted before. They were minimally effective, and those who used them concluded that it would have been far more practical to carry a separate short sword and revolver.
In a sense, real-life gunblades have been used in combat for centuries and remain functional to this day. One could argue that bayonets are a form of gunblade—and indeed the only truly practical design. The best way to combine both a gun and a blade is by placing the majority of the weight and length on the firearm portion of the weapon.
6. Archers Did Not Carry Quivers Of Arrows On Their Backs
We've all seen it in countless movies or video games. In Lord of the Rings, for example, Legolas is frequently shown skillfully drawing arrows from the quiver on his back, swiftly taking down enemies with each shot. While the character makes this appear effortless, medieval archers would have mocked such a method for its inefficiency.
In historical artwork and medieval depictions, archers are often shown keeping their arrows in front of them, typically hanging from their belt and sometimes even without a quiver. This allowed them faster access to their arrows and made it much easier to keep track of how many they had left during the chaos of battle.
5. The Whip Was Likely Never Used in Combat Against People
Films like Indiana Jones and numerous video games have embedded the notion that the whip is a viable melee weapon. However, the only historical record of a whip being used in actual combat is not the common bullwhip, but a Chinese chain whip, which was essentially a long chain with a handle. There is evidence suggesting that it was only used ceremonially by important officials and was a weapon of last resort.
Even chain whips could easily be considered ceremonial, as whips simply aren't practical as weapons. The typical whip most people think of would cause minimal damage, and a whip that was dangerous enough to fatally wound an opponent could just as easily swing back and injure or even kill the user.
4. Battle Axes Originated as Farming Tools
When people imagine a battle axe, they often envision a massive, decorative weapon with double blades and an extremely long handle. The general idea is of a weapon made primarily of metal and intended purely for combat. However, these kinds of axes came much later in history.
Especially in the early Middle Ages, many people were called to fight even if they were just farmers or common workers. Most couldn’t afford to buy specialized weapons, so if they owned an axe, they brought it with them into battle. Over time, as people grew fond of them, axes were eventually designed specifically for combat purposes.
3. The Flail Likely Never Existed At All
The flail is said to be a weapon consisting of a handle with a chain attached, with a spiked ball at the end. The user swings the chain in an attempt to strike their opponent with the mace. This weapon would be exceedingly impractical and dangerous to wield, and many historians are convinced it never existed. Though some replicas are displayed in museums, historians remain doubtful that these are authentic weapons.
Artworks depicting flails are also questionable, as they only appear in works filled with obvious fantasies, making it unlikely that they are meant to depict any real battle. Those who challenge the idea of the flail as a legitimate weapon suggest it was either a novelty weapon or a concept that never fully materialized beyond a few prototypes, due to its impracticality.
2. Biological Warfare May Have Begun Much Earlier Than Most People Realize
While biological warfare may be more advanced and lethal today, it is a practice humans have been using effectively against one another for a very long time. Most people associate the start of biological warfare with actions like catapulting dead bodies over enemy fortress walls or contaminating water supplies to spread disease.
However, humanity’s use of biological weapons dates back even further. In the 14th century BC, the Hittites attacked a city by intentionally driving disease-infected animals onto their enemy’s land. Also, while it's difficult to determine how much of the Iliad or Odyssey is based on historical events, they both feature the Greeks using poison-tipped arrows against the Trojans.
1. Bishops Carried Maces As Symbols Of Authority
The mace is a brutal yet highly effective weapon that has been around since the earliest days of human history. A club with spikes makes for a formidable weapon to either or pierce your opponent. However, due to the chaotic nature of combat, the spikes on a mace were often knocked off. Despite this, the weapon remained highly effective, as the raw force of its impact could cause severe trauma even through armor.
A common belief is that bishops wielded maces in battle to avoid spilling blood. This notion is odd, given that a mace is perfectly capable of causing bloodshed. More importantly, historical records show that bishops who carried maces also used swords. It’s more plausible that the mace symbolized the bishop’s authority on the battlefield.
