An illustration showing a kopis with a hook-like hilt. Contemporary representations often show the kopis being wound back over the shoulder in preparation for a powerful downward swing.

The kopis is an ancient single-edged sword with a heavy forward-curving blade, designed for delivering strong cleaving blows. Some scholars feel this was developed from the Canaan/Egyptian khopesh. In turn, it is often compared to the shorter Nepalese kukri and the Iberian falcata and may be their predecessor. The word itself is the Greek feminine singular noun derived from the verb κόπτω (koptô), meaning "to cut." The difference in meaning between kopis and makhaira (another Greek word of similar meaning) is not entirely clear in ancient texts,^[1] but modern specialists tend to use both terms referred to a class of curved weapons, the only real difference being the direction of the blade curvature.^[2] Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Greece has a rich and varied artistic history, spanning some 4000 years and beginning in the Minoan prehistorical civilization, giving birth to Western classical art in the ancient period (and developing this during the Hellenistic Period), to taking in the influences of the East and the new religion of Christianity... Swiss longsword, 15th or 16th century Look up Sword in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Khopesh (ko-peÅ¡h) is the name given by the ancient Egyptians to a Canaanite sickle-sword. ... Kukri knife and sheath The Kukri or Khukuri (DevanāgarÄ«: खुकुरी) is a heavy, curved Nepalese knife used as both tool and weapon. ... Iberia can mean: The Iberian peninsula of southwest Europe; That part of it inhabited by the Iberians, speaking the Iberian language. ... 4th century BC Iberian falcata. ... Makhaira (μάχαιρα, also transliterated machaira or machaera; an Ancient Greek word, <PIE *magh-, to fight) is a term used by modern scholars to describe a type of ancient bladed weapon, generally a large knife with a slight backwards curve. ...

Though kopis is a Greek word, the ancient Greeks did not often use curved blades in warfare, preferring rather the straight, more martially versatile xiphos. Xenophon however recommended using the curved makhaira for cavalry in On Horsemanship 12:11. This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Xenophon, Greek historian Xenophon (In Greek , ca. ... Makhaira (μάχαιρα, also transliterated machaira or machaera; an Ancient Greek word, <PIE *magh-, to fight) is a term used by modern scholars to describe a type of ancient bladed weapon, generally a large knife with a slight backwards curve. ... French Republican Guard - May 8, 2005 celebrations Cavalry (from French cavalerie) were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback in combat. ...

Greek art shows Persian soldiers wielding the kopis or an axe rather than the straight-bladed Persian akinakes. For other uses of this term see: Persia (disambiguation) The Persian Empire is the name used to refer to a number of historic dynasties that have ruled the country of Persia (Iran). ... The acinaces, also spelled akinakes (Greek &#945;&#787;&#954;&#953;&#957;&#8049;&#954;&#951;&#962;) or akinaka (unattested Old Persian *ak&#299;nakah) is a type of sword or dagger used by the Ancient Persians. ...

Notes

1. ^ : For a good summary of the evidence, see F. Quesada Sanz: "Máchaira, kopís, falcata" in Homenaje a Francisco Torrent, Madrid, 1994, pp. 75-94.
2. ^ : e.g. Tarassuk & Blair, s.v. "kopis," The Complete Encyclopedia of Arms and Weapons, 1979.