Ref #:  1

Type:  Axe

Material:  Iron

Period:  Byzantine (Eastern Roman)  10th Cent. A.D.

Provenance:  Balkan Region

Measurements:  20.3 cm x 4.8 cm

Comments:  This very unusual kind of axe could be ascribed among those mentioned in the Leo Tactica (VII, 67) as furnished to the heavy infantrymen on the front lines and used as a throwing missile against the enemy.  This mention confirms the fighting way of the Franks had deeply penetrated the Roman Army tactics.  The throwing of the axe called Franziska, is mentioned by Agathias Scholasticus, writing at the 6th century A.D.. 

At the beginning of 10th century A.D..  the axe's throwing was one of the military exercises of the Skoutatoi.  Logically the throwing of the axe (also used by the Arabs, s. Leo Diak. 16,1) requested a smaller specimen, like this one, attached to wooden shaft or maybe integrated with a metallic shaft.  This specimen could be dated to the 10th century A.D. for the similarity of its anterior part with that of a specimen from Pacului Soare.