shortsword
Brief close-combat blade
A shortsword is a blade longer than a dagger but shorter than a standard sword, typically between one and two feet.
Historical shortswords include the Roman gladius.
The term appears most often in fantasy games and fiction, where it represents a quick, light weapon favoring agility over reach: The rogue equipped a shortsword for close combat.
Roman infantry blade
Forceful forward motion
- slashAngled line or swipe
- parryDefensive blade deflection
- riposteSwift clever reply
- lungeSudden forward movement
feint · guard · footwork · melee · duel · fencing · sparring · close-quarters
gladius
Roman infantry blade
wakizashi · edge · point · tip · tang · fuller · steel · sharp · hilt · pommel
thrust
Forceful forward motion
lunge · feint · guard · footwork · melee · duel · fencing · sparring · close-quarters · sidearm
blacksmith
Iron-shaping craftsperson
quenching · hammering · metalwork · steel · iron · alloy · billet · furnace · smithy · craftsmanship
gladiator
Ancient Roman arena combatant
man-at-arms · armory · chivalry · tournament · feudal · medieval · Roman · Greek · Viking · castle
shortswordlongsword
Two-handed medieval blade
greatsword · claymore · bastard sword · broadsword · katana