Some typological features of Byzantine spatha

Abstract

This paper analyses finds of a special type of cross-guard, closer analogies of which may be found on Byzantine visual presentations from the IX-XI centuries. The only archaeological find of a sword with such a cross-guard which includes a preserved blade, indicates the characteristics of the spatha - the type of sword that was widespread in Byzantium, in those times. Swords with this kind of cross-guard and the general characteristics of the spatha are depicted in visual presentations as the weapons of the protospatharios or some other high-ranking imperial guardsmen and, in the descriptions of Byzantine court ceremony, this weapon was also called a spatha.

Keywords

• spatha
• Byzantine sword
• protospatharios
• spatharios
• cross-guard