Today, when the military industry is developing at an increasingly rapid pace, almost daily new types of weapons are reported - armed drones, destructive missiles and many other mechanisms by which it is so easy to take a person's life. In this post we will talk about more ancient types of weapons - but not about swords, axes and spears: the weapons that will be discussed were owned only by a select few, they were so dangerous!
10. Madu
In ancient times, Hindus and Muslims were forbidden to carry weapons, so by improvising, they created an object that looked like an ordinary work tool or utensil, but in fact was a weapon that could be deadly. Madu was made from crossed antelope horns. The horns sticking out to the sides were ideal for attacking the enemy from behind, however, of course, those who carried the Mada with them argued that it was a means of self-defense, and nothing more.
9. Haladiye
One of the most formidable weapons created in India is the Haladiye dagger. These daggers were carried by the Rajputs, a class of warriors whose code of honor resembled that of the samurai. Haladiyeh resembles a small sword, but it has two blades, which makes it more difficult to use. However, those who have honed their skills in combat with the help of Haladiye can attack the enemy from both sides!
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8. Kakute
Kakute is a spiked ring originally from ancient Japan. Although the kakute appears small and harmless in appearance, it was one of the most dangerous weapons of female ninja. On such rings there are from 1 to 3 spikes, which makes a blow with the hand on which it is worn, fatal - especially if it is struck in vulnerable parts of the body. Kakute with poisonous thorns were especially dangerous.
7. Sodegarami
The sodegarami was used by the Edo police to capture criminals. With the help of this spiked pole, the police could, by sharply throwing it forward, confuse the criminal's clothes in order to make it easier to disarm him. The name "sodegarami" is translated as "sleeve tangle". It was convenient for them to separate the samurai during the battle - there was no other legal way: any other weapon could kill a samurai, which was prohibited by law (only another samurai could kill a samurai).
6. Atlatl
One of the oldest weapons, the atlatl is the ancestor of bows and arrows. The Atlatl could only be used at a short distance, but the spears that were thrown using this simple mechanism developed speeds of up to 0.1 km / h! The weapon was so effective that some scientists suggest that it was because of its use by humans that the mammoth population became extinct. The Atlatl is so fast because the weapon was made of amazingly flexible wood. It was used on all continents except Africa; Europeans saw it used by the Aztecs in the 16th century.
5. Khopesh
An ancient Egyptian weapon, the khopesh is a kind of cross between a battle ax and a sword. Before the khopesh began to be used as a weapon, it was a symbol of the pharaoh's power, but due to its effectiveness in battles, they began to arm the army and even cut trees. The khopesh was made of bronze, so it was extremely heavy and difficult to use, but just because of the weight (and also because of the curved shape), its destructive power exceeded all the wildest expectations.
4. Cestus
While cestus is not a deadly weapon, it deserves a mention: it perfectly protected the hands of fist fighters during battles in Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome, and was also used by fighters as a shield. The difference between cestus and modern boxing gloves lies in the materials from which they were made: the Greeks used leather belts, as well as iron plates, spikes and blades, which turned the means of protection into a weapon for a deadly reception.
3. Shotel
This sword-like weapon originated in ancient Ethiopia; it was very difficult to use because of its shape. At first, shotels were very popular, but later both in Ethiopia and in Europe they realized: not only is it difficult to make, it is also ineffective in close combat due to its excessive length. The only good thing about this weapon is that it is difficult for them to deflect a blow with a shield!
2. Jagged knife
This dagger with a short T-shaped blade was created for close combat and surprise attacks. The dagger knife is held in the hand so that the blade protrudes from the fist between the index and middle fingers. There is a similar sword design that is more suited to long fights than swift attacks. The stab knife is still used around the world for self-defense, but it is a very ancient weapon.
1. Bagh nakh
Bagh nakh, also known as "tiger's claws", is a weapon that originated in ancient India and Japan. It contains 4 to 5 curved blades that are designed to rip apart the opponent's muscles - they are too short to reach the internal organs. The weapon was popular with hired assassins, who used deadly poisons in conjunction with "tiger claws" for an accurate and deadly blow. In addition, such weapons were carried by women for self-defense from strangers and wild animals.