What Swords did Spartans Use? Myth vs. History

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Updated: August 4, 2024

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What Swords did Spartans Use? Myth vs. History

Military training was the top priority for every Spartan, and because of this, Spartan children were taught to be warriors at a young age. They would learn to use the spear, shield, and standard Spartan weapons during their training. The infantry of the Spartans relied heavily on their swords, despite their status as secondary weapons.

While the historical use of swords by the Spartans is undeniable, the current bladed weapon known as the Spartan Sword may be more fiction than reality. In this post, we will discuss the Spartan Sword, both historic and modern, and provide you with information on its characteristics, uses, and history, as well as draw comparisons to the current and actual swords used by the Spartans.

What Swords Did the Spartans Use?

*A Spartan hoplite and the Spartan swords – Holywood Spartan Sword, Kopis, and Xiphos*

Hoplite troops of Sparta were everyday citizens who fought with spears, shields, and swords. Their primary weapon was the dory, but they also used the Xiphos, a short, double-edged iron sword.

When the Xiphos was unavailable, Spartans used the Kopis, a curved, single-edged blade common in Greek culture, used for daily tasks and combat.

In the 21st century, a new type of Spartan sword was created for the 2006 film “300,” designed for visual appeal and used by Leonidas and his troops in the Battle of Thermopylae.

Characteristics of the Spartan Sword

*The Holywood Spartan Sword that didn’t get used throughout history with details*

The Spartan Sword, usually linked with the Spartans because of modern media, is arguably the easiest to distinguish from all European Blades, whether ancient or medieval swords. It has a terrifying look only to suit the hyperbolized warfare status and presence of the legendary Spartans themself.

Blade

The Hollywood Spartan Sword’s blade is single-edged, sharpened on one side, and slightly curved. It starts with a very thin neck and gradually widens toward the center of the blade only to taper toward the blade’s tip ending with a very sharp point.

Length & Size

The Hollywood Spartan Sword can come in any length and size since it is a modern fantasy weapon. That said, if someone strives for the authentic Ancient Greek sword length, it would be 17 to 23 inches (45 to 60 cm) or 12 to 17 inches (30 to 45 cm) since Spartans generally used smaller swords in battles.

Weight

The real swords used in Spartan times would be fairly light because of their smaller size. The Hollywood Spartan Sword, however, can weigh up to 4.4 lbs (2 kg), depending on the material it is made of. However, the most common weight for the Spartan Sword should be 1 to 2.2 lbs (450 to 1000 grams).

The History of the Spartan Sword

*The Leonidas Sword at the tomb of Leonidas in Greece – Credits: Laconia, Sparta statue*

The real and historical swords that the ancient Spartan warriors used would be the Kopis and Xiphos. They were used by the entire Ancient Greek infantry and had much influence throughout the ancient world. Even the popular enemies of the Spartans, the Persians, used these swords in battles.

The Spartan Sword, as it is known in its current popular shape today, is a modern type of fantastical weapon coming from the late 20th century. It can be seen in comic books like Frank Miller’s 300 and was most popular in the 2006 movie version directed by Zack Snyder.

Modern media will also make people believe that Spartans primarily used swords after throwing their spears at the enemy. If this were the case and the Spartans relied heavily on their swords, they would have the weakest warriors in the regions, which is the exact opposite of their reputation.

What is known of the Spartan Sword is the difference in length. Ancient swords typically weren’t long, and the average length of the Ancient Greek sword was between 19 to 23 inches (50 and 60 cm), but rumor has it that Spartans started making blades as small as 15 inches (40 cm) during war. Plutarch, an Ancient Greek philosopher, said the reason was that the Spartans would need to approach their enemies closer in battle.

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