Byzantine Cruciform Sword

Editor's note: Dr. Timothy Dawson believes this sword, which is now housed in Musée de Cluny is Byzantine.* Timothy cites the "...unusual (for the west) globular pommel." and engravings "...reminiscent of Byzantine marginal reliefs." Dr. Dawson's observation is, I believe, as almost always spot on. This sword may have been a purely Byzantine creation or may represent a hybridisation of Norse and Roman sword makers' sensibilities. If the sword was a blend, it is likely that the sword was once the property of a Varangian Guardsman as other finds from Bulgaria as identified by Professor Valeri Yotov seem to indicate that the melding of these two cultural styles were a frequent feature of Varangian Guard swords.

*Dawson, T. (2007). Byzantine Infantryman: Eastern Roman Empire c.900-1204. Oxford, UK: Osprey.

Source of images above: www.vikverir.no/ressurser/usages_mythes_symboles/?dir=&page=all




Extract from: Peirce, I. G. (2002). Swords of the Viking Age. Woodbridge: Boydell. p.p. 128-130.