Ref #:  8

Type:  Axe

Material:  Iron

Period:  Byzantine (Eastern Roman)  6th - 14th Cent. A.D.

Provenance:  Balkan Region

Measurements:  24.1 cm x 5.7 cm

Comments:  This kind of axe is a typical axe for infantryman, correspondent to the type 1 of the classification made by the Kirpichnikov for the Russian axes.  Particularly, it seems very akin to the specimens of Goroditsche and Opanowitschi, dated in the turn of 10th - 11th centuries however, its shape is slightly different, and considering the strong influence of the Roman Armies on the Russian ones in 11th century, a local prototype used in the Balkan wars of Basil II (976-1025). 

The general Nikephoros Ouranos remembers in his Taktika (56, 4) that small axes were used at the waist of the selected archers of infantry : "...You must select proficient archers - the so called psiloi - four thousand.  These men must have fifty arrows each in their quivers, two bows, small shields and extra bowstrings.  Let them also have swords at the waist, or axes, or slings in their belts...". 

The axe was inserted in its wooden shaft and fixed to it by means of dilatation of the wood, dampened by water.