Byzantine Swords

Here is a better photo of a Byzantine Goliath from the church of Akhtamar in Armenia, built by King Gagik Ardzrouni in 920 A.D.

A 6th century ivory relief of a Roman swordman wearing scale armor and round shield- Berlin Bode museum.

Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Roman_swordman.JPG

Illumination from the 10th C Menologion of Basil The Beheading of St Hermione of Ephesus courtesy of regular contributor to this thread Peter Raftos.

L in sheath 94.2 cm

Found in the Poltava region of the Ukraine, this sword dates back to the early 7th century AD and is made of gold, iron, and glass. The object was made within a Byzantine workshop and was given by Byzantium to Kana Subigi Kubrat as a symbol of their close relationship. The blade is single-edged with a double-edged point and was part of the famous Pereshchepina Treasure which most scholars believe corresponds with Kubrat (due to crosses on the sword's facing). If this sword is Kubrat's it would have been sent by Emperor Heraclius as a diplomatic gift sometime from 634-640AD.

Source: www.kutriguri.com/culture.html

Editor's Note: This style of sword was ubiquitous on the steppe, and spread right through Asia to Japan. It also enjoyed a period of popularity in the lands of the Romans, and I believe the swords worn by the Tetrarch in the famous porphyry statue may be a depiction of a sword type like this sword of Kubrat.

Apart from the slender, long blade this sword of Kubrat's is the ring pommel, another feature adopted by Romans which also spread right through to China.

What appear to be paramerion (one at very least) from the Skylitzes Chronicle.

Byzantine Illumination from Anatolia circa 1300 - 1350 A.D. Archive of the Hellenistic Institute of Venice

Source: manuscriptminiatures.com/4893/14287/

A fresco of St. Mercurius from Lesnovo (1346)