History

Ancient & Medieval Weapons

15rows
5columns
45views
0downloads
Source:Various
Updated:3/6/2026
15/15
Weapon
Origin
Era
Type
Known For
Katana
Japan1400s+Sword (curved, single-edge)Samurai soul, folded steel, curved blade for mounted combat, Kill Bill, most romanticized sword ever
Longsword
Europe1300-1550Sword (straight, double-edge)Knight's weapon, versatile (cut, thrust, half-sword), HEMA revival, Witcher's steel sword, cruciform hilt
Longbow
England / Wales1200-1600Ranged (bow)Won Agincourt and Crécy, 6-foot draw, English archers feared, 10 arrows per minute, armor-piercing bodkins
Gladius
Rome300 BCE-300 CESword (short, stabbing)Roman legionary standard weapon, short for formation fighting, conquered the known world, gladiator namesake
Trebuchet
China → Europe1100-1500Siege engineSuperior to catapult (counterweight), 300m range, hurled 90kg projectiles, castle breaker, internet memes
Viking Axe
Scandinavia800-1100Axe (one or two-handed)Dane axe could split shields, cheaper than swords, Viking raider weapon, versatile (tool + weapon)
Crossbow
China → Europe500 BCE+Ranged (mechanical bow)Democratized ranged combat (less training than bow), banned by Pope (against Christians), armor-piercing bolts
Spear
Global (oldest weapon)400,000 BCE+PolearmMost important weapon in history, every culture used them, phalanx formation, cheap and effective, reach advantage
Halberd
Switzerland1300-1600Polearm (axe + spike + hook)Swiss pikemen weapon, versatile (chop, stab, pull riders off horses), guard weapon, elegant brutality
Composite Bow
Central Asian steppes2000 BCE+Ranged (reflex bow)Mongol empire weapon, horseback archery, compact but powerful, sinew + horn + wood layers, devastating
Mace
GlobalAncient-MedievalBludgeonBeat armored knights, doesn't need edge maintenance, bishops used maces (no blood technically), skull crusher
War Hammer
Europe1400-1600Bludgeon / PiercingDesigned specifically to defeat plate armor, spike side punctures, hammer side concusses, Robert Baratheon
Naginata
Japan1000+Polearm (glaive)Japanese warrior monks' weapon, women's self-defense weapon, curved blade on pole, elegant slashing
Flail
Europe1300-1500Bludgeon (chain)Dramatic swinging chain + spiked ball, actually rare historically, very hard to use, Hollywood favorite
Greek Fire
Byzantine Empire672+IncendiaryAncient napalm, burned on water, recipe lost to history, saved Constantinople multiple times, terrifying

Free to explore · No signup needed

Loading community rankings...

Frequently asked questions

How is the Ancient Medieval Weapons List list ranked?

The Ancient & Medieval Weapons list is ranked by community votes. Every visitor can pick one option over another in head-to-head matchups, and the running totals determine the order you see. No editors or algorithms — just real people voting.

How many entries are in this Ancient Medieval Weapons List dataset?

This dataset contains 15 entries, each with multiple sortable, filterable columns. The full table is visible on this page and can be downloaded as a CSV, JSON, or Excel file.

Can I download the Ancient Medieval Weapons List data?

Yes. The download buttons at the top of the page give you the full 15-row dataset as CSV, JSON, or Excel. Use of the data is permitted under a Creative Commons Attribution license — credit dtbse.com when you republish.

Related Datasets

More in History

Famous Battles

Twenty of the most consequential military engagements in world history, from ancient Marathon to the beaches of Normandy.

19 rows2 shared tags

Famous Siege Weapons of Ancient Warfare

Trebuchet, battering ram, ballista — which siege engine was the most devastating weapon of pre-gunpowder warfare?

15 rows2 shared tags

Famous Viking Raids

Which legendary Norse raid struck the hardest blow against medieval Europe?

14 rows2 shared tags

Famous Mongol Conquests

Which Mongol conquest unleashed the most devastation on its target civilization?

14 rows2 shared tags

Greatest Military Leaders

Twenty of the most celebrated military commanders in recorded history, spanning from ancient China to the 20th century.

20 rows2 shared tags

Nuclear Weapons Tests

Nuclear weapons tests conducted by various nations.

93 rows2 shared tags

Famous Diplomatic Incidents & Crises

The Cuban Missile Crisis, the Zimmermann Telegram, the U-2 Incident — which diplomatic crisis brought the world closest to catastrophe?

15 rows1 shared tag

Famous Filibuster Records in Politics

Strom Thurmond's 24 hours, Wendy Davis's stand, Ted Cruz reads Green Eggs and Ham — which filibuster was most dramatic?

15 rows1 shared tag

Famous Wartime Propaganda Posters

Uncle Sam, Rosie the Riveter, Keep Calm and Carry On — which propaganda poster had the greatest cultural impact?

15 rows1 shared tag

Famous Labor Strikes That Changed History

The Pullman Strike, the UK Miners' Strike, the Flint Sit-Down Strike — which labor action had the most lasting impact on workers' rights?

15 rows1 shared tag

Famous Declarations in History

Magna Carta, Declaration of Independence, Universal Human Rights - which document most changed the world?

17 rows1 shared tag

Famous Oil Discoveries

Spindletop, Ghawar, Burgan, Prudhoe Bay - which gusher rewrote the world's energy map?

15 rows1 shared tag