Old Testament-era weapons and armor

[Krieg]

Although other weapons can come into play; spears, slings & short swords should make up the bulk of your campaign.

No particular era. I've heard of something like the falx, but it was called a falcata. Looked a lot like that kopis, but much heavier.

The falx is traditionally regarded as a much larger two-handed weapon.

Think of a scythe with a blade in-line with the handle rather than perpendicular.

There is a similar Byzantine weapon called the Rhomphaii. However there is at least one school of thought that believes it was a two-handed axe rather than a long bladed sword/pole weapon. This is at least partially because the Rhomphaii was associated with the Varangian Guard (the Varangian guard was made up of northern european mercenaries).


Regarding the Falcata/Kopis...

The Falcata is from the Iberian peninsula (you know, Spain) while the Kopis is Greek. Both are exceedingly similar weapons (if not identical) & no doubt share a common ancestry. The Kopis is at times also referred to as the Macheira. For the purposes of D20, the Falcata/Kopis/Macheira are pretty much interchangeable.

The Egyptian Khopesh has an earlier ancestor known as the Sappara which is statted in the Arms & Equipment Guide.

 

[Aaron2]

I've heard of something like the falx, but it was called a falcata. Looked a lot like that kopis, but much heavier.

Falcata is a latin name, Kopis is a greek name. They varied in size, the smaller being slightly shorter than the gladius, the larger were about 6" longer.

As to the falx, here's a chubby re-enactor weilding one against a reconstructed scutum ...

http://www.larp.com/legioxx/falxrig.jpg
http://www.larp.com/legioxx/falxcut1.jpg
http://www.larp.com/legioxx/falxcut4.jpg

I've never seen a primary source for this weapon so I can't be 100% sure that this is what they looked like.


Aaron

 

[Krieg]

As to the falx, here's a chubby re-enactor weilding one against a reconstructed scutum ...

LOL That's Steve Peffley who works for Albion Armourers.

There are more of his reconstructions on the Thracian webpage, which also happens to be an excellent source for period weapons/armour. A good place to start would be on the weapons page, links to the various weapon types are at the bottom of the page (be ready for frames & pop-ups).

 

[diaglo]

jawbone, ass

this one. Judges 15:15

the sling of David and the staff of Moses all come to mind right away.

 

[heirodule]

jawbone, ass

There is also the Ox goad (like a singhaim?) from Judges 3:31

 

[John Q. Mayhem]

What would the stats for a falx be? I'm thinking halberd stats, or falchion. Possibly halberd with 19-20/x2 rather than x3?

 

[Krieg]

What would the stats for a falx be? I'm thinking halberd stats, or falchion. Possibly halberd with 19-20/x2 rather than x3?

The easiest thing to do would be to just use the Scythe stats as is.

In my campaigns I typically position it in the "Bastard Sword" category (ie martial one handed & exotic two-handed) with 1d8/x4 for dmg.

 

[Aaron2]

What would the stats for a falx be? I'm thinking halberd stats, or falchion. Possibly halberd with 19-20/x2 rather than x3?

As I siad, I give it 2d6/x3 slashing only. x3 crits are normally given to choppy things like axes.


Aaron

 

[elforcelf]

Celts had longswords at that time.Rember that copper and bronze bends easly.And flint breaks a lot.elforcelf.

 

[elforcelf]

For Summeria,at first the armour was just a leather cape with copper studs.Then they invented padded armour.elforcelf.