Warrior with an axe. What is a poleaxe: a battle ax and its types

Old Russian axes from the collection of the State Historical Museum. At the top is a typical embossing. Underneath are axes. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

An ancient Russian warrior could use cold weapons of different types. One of the main weapons was a battle axe. Such a product could be useful on the battlefield and on the march, which contributed to its wide distribution and long-term preservation in service. In addition, over many centuries, battle axes have constantly evolved, giving advantages over the enemy.

Classification problem

To date, several thousand axes of various kinds and types have been discovered in the territories of Ancient Rus'. At the same time, archaeologists did not always find battle axes used by warriors. Products of a similar design could be used in the national economy or in the military to solve support problems. As a result, it was necessary to create a classification of axes that takes into account the versatility of such products.

First of all, the actual battle axes of all varieties and types stand out. In size, they basically did not differ from other axes, but had a smaller blade and were lighter - no more than 450-500 g. They were intended for battles, but could also be used for household needs, although in this regard they were not particularly convenient.

Classification of forms of battle axes from “Ancient Russian weapons” by A.N. Kirpichnikova

Some battle axes were similar to status and ceremonial weapons. Such hatchets were small in size; they were mainly versions of compact hammers. They were richly decorated, corresponding to the status of the owner.

The third main class is working axes. These were larger and heavier samples, designed to perform various jobs. In some situations, working axes were used in battle, but in terms of convenience they were noticeably inferior to specialized models.

Over several centuries of development, axes have repeatedly changed shape, and this applied to both combat and working samples. Only for weapons of the X-XIII centuries. It is customary to distinguish eight different types of blades. They differ in the shape and size of the working part, the presence or absence of a protruding butt, etc.

Ax options

The first mentions of Slavic warriors with axes date back to the 8th century, but archaeological data for that period are extremely scarce. A significant number of finds date back to the 9th and 10th centuries. This was facilitated by the development of the ancient Russian army, the need for mass weapons for infantry, as well as the active search for new designs and other factors.

Axes from the State Historical Museum. At the top there is a coin with a wide blade. In the middle there is a chase with a reduced butt. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

All known battle axes had a total length of no more than 750-800 mm. The length of the blade rarely exceeded 150-170 mm, and the weight was usually in the range of 400-500 g. Weapons of this configuration were quite convenient to carry and use - primarily in combat. Some of the axes had a hole in the wide part of the blade, which at one time became a topic of controversy. As it was established, a cord was threaded through the hole to secure the protective cover.

The ax itself was forged from iron or steel, depending on the capabilities of the blacksmith. The ax handle used suitable wood, a simple and accessible material.

Probably, hammered battle axes were borrowed from the nomads (type I in the table by A.N. Kirpichnikov). Such a weapon had a narrow and long blade, and also received a hammer-shaped butt. A strike with a hammer could be carried out either with a blade or with a butt, which ensured the effective transfer of energy to the target. In addition, the ax had good balance, which improved the accuracy of the blow.

Different designs of coins. Drawing from the book by A.V. Viskovatov "Historical description of clothing and weapons of the Russian troops"

The hammer-shaped butt could be used with blades of various shapes, from narrow elongated to beard-shaped. There were also butts of shorter length and larger area, designed for impact.

Scandinavian influence explains the appearance in Rus' of ax-axes with a straightened upper edge and a rounded, narrow blade drawn down (type V). This design of the blade made it possible to combine a chopping blow with cutting. There were also similar axes with a concave upper edge and a different butt (type IV).

Also “from the Varangians” came the so-called. wide-bladed axes (type VII) - axes with a blade of a triangular or similar shape, symmetrical or with slight asymmetry. It is curious that such samples could be equipped with a longer ax handle. The total length of such a battle ax, unlike other varieties, reached 1 m.

Modern reconstruction of an ancient Russian ax. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

It is curious that only hammered axes were purely military weapons, poorly adapted to solving other problems. The specific configuration of the blade and butt made chopping wood or other work difficult. All other types of battle axes and axes had economic “brothers”. Typically, working axes, while retaining the contours of their parts, differed from combat axes in size and weight.

Battle and working axes of all known types were distributed throughout Ancient Rus' and were actively used by squads. At the same time, in different periods and in different regions, certain designs prevailed. Thus, coinage was more common in the South, near the places of its original appearance, and Scandinavian-style axes were more common in the northern regions. However, nothing prevented the interpenetration of weapons culture and the use of other people's experience.

Simple and massive

A battle ax, regardless of its type, was simpler and cheaper to produce than a sword, although it was inferior in this regard to a spear. As a result, already in the 9th-10th centuries. axes of various types become one of the main weapons of the army. Moreover, unlike other weapons, the ax was used only in infantry. The vigilantes usually used special battle axes, and the militia often had to take workers.

Russian axes. Drawing from the book "Antiquities of the Russian State, Published by Highest Order"

In battle, the ax was useful due to its accuracy and striking power. In addition, it made it possible to combat enemy defenses. A successful blow was capable of splitting a wooden shield, and chain mail or soft armor could not protect the warrior from the crushing effect.

The battle ax retained its position until the 12th century, when the situation began to change. In archaeological complexes dating from the 12th-13th centuries, axes are found in significant quantities, but with many copies, swords, etc. Whenever possible, warriors replaced the ax with a more convenient weapon with a long blade, while the militias retained it.

Despite the reduction in their role, battle axes remained in service. In addition, their development continued. The evolution of such weapons was associated with ax-axes of all versions. The shapes and configurations of the blade and butt changed, and the handle was modified. Subsequently, these processes led to the appearance of a wide moon-shaped blade, on the basis of which the reed was created. Its final form was determined in the 15th century, and with certain changes, such weapons served for several centuries.

Reeds of different configurations. Drawing from the book by A.V. Viskovatov "Historical description of clothing and weapons of the Russian troops"

In parallel with battle axes, the troops used similar models for economic purposes. With their help, the construction of various structures, the organization of engineering barriers, etc. were carried out. It is noteworthy that the ax remains in our army as a working tool to this day, although its combat varieties have long gone into oblivion.

Helpful Versatility

The first battle axes appeared among the Slavs almost in the middle of the first millennium AD, and later such weapons became the most important attribute of the ancient Russian warrior. For several centuries, battle axes of various types were used along with other infantry weapons.

However, the further development of the army, the growing importance of cavalry and new threats to the infantry led to rearmament and changes in the range of basic equipment for the infantryman. The role of battle axes was reduced; some of their tasks were now solved with the help of swords and sabers. However, the development of axes did not stop and led to the emergence of new types of edged polearms.

Subsequently, these samples were withdrawn from service due to final obsolescence. Despite all this, working axes have not gone away. They remained in the army and the national economy and did their own thing. The versatility and ability to perform different tasks turned out to be useful - and after leaving the battlefield, the axes were not left without work.

The battle ax can be very different: one-handed and two-handed, with one and even two blades. With a relatively light warhead (no heavier than 0.5-0.8 kg) and a long (from 50 cm) axe, this weapon has impressive penetrating power - it’s all about the small area of ​​​​contact of the cutting edge with the surface, as a result of which all the impact energy concentrated at one point. Axes were often used against heavily armored infantry and cavalry: the narrow blade wedges perfectly into the joints of armor and, with a successful hit, can cut through all layers of protection, leaving a long bleeding cut on the body.

Combat modifications of axes have been widely used all over the world since ancient times: even before the metal era, people carved axes out of stone - despite the fact that quartz stone is as sharp as a scalpel! The evolution of the ax is diverse, and today we will look at the five most impressive battle axes of all time:

Ax

Brodex - Scandinavian battle ax

A distinctive feature of the ax is its crescent-shaped blade, the length of which can reach 30-35 cm. A weighty piece of sharpened metal on a long shaft made sweeping blows incredibly effective: often this was the only way to somehow penetrate heavy armor. The wide blade of the ax could act as an improvised harpoon, pulling the rider from the saddle. The warhead was driven tightly into the eye and secured there with rivets or nails. Roughly speaking, an ax is a general name for a number of subspecies of battle axes, some of which we will discuss below.

The most furious controversy that has accompanied the ax since Hollywood fell in love with this formidable weapon is, of course, the question of the existence of double-edged axes. Of course, on the screen this miracle weapon looks very impressive and, coupled with an absurd helmet decorated with a pair of sharp horns, completes the look of a brutal Scandinavian. In practice, the butterfly blade is too massive, which creates very high inertia upon impact. Often there was a sharp spike on the back of the ax head; However, Greek labrys axes with two wide blades are also known - a weapon that is mostly ceremonial, but still at least suitable for real combat.

Valashka

Valashka - both a staff and a military weapon

National hatchet of the mountaineers who inhabited the Carpathians. A narrow wedge-shaped knob, strongly protruding forward, the butt of which often represented a forged muzzle of an animal or was simply decorated with carved ornaments. The Valashka, thanks to its long handle, is a staff, a cleaver, and a battle axe. Such an instrument was practically indispensable in the mountains and was a status sign of a mature married man, the head of the family.

The name of the ax comes from Wallachia, a historical region in the south of modern Romania, the patrimony of the legendary Vlad III the Impaler. It migrated to Central Europe in the 14th-17th centuries and became an invariable shepherd’s attribute. Starting from the 17th century, the wallachka gained popularity due to popular uprisings and received the status of a full-fledged military weapon.

Berdysh

Berdysh is distinguished by a wide, moon-shaped blade with a sharp top

What distinguishes the berdysh from other axes is its very wide blade, shaped like an elongated crescent. At the lower end of the long shaft (the so-called ratovishcha) an iron tip (podtok) was attached - they used it to rest the weapon on the ground during the parade and during the siege. In Rus', the berdysh in the 15th century played the same role as the Western European halberd. The long shaft made it possible to keep a greater distance between opponents, and the blow of the sharp crescent blade was truly terrible. Unlike many other axes, the reed was effective not only as a chopping weapon: the sharp end could stab, and the wide blade reflected blows well, so the skilled owner of the reed did not need a shield.

The berdysh was also used in horse combat. The reeds of mounted archers and dragoons were smaller in size compared to infantry models, and the shaft of such a reed had two iron rings so that the weapon could be hung on a belt.

Polex

Polex with protective splints and a hammer-shaped butt - a weapon for all occasions

Polex appeared in Europe around the 15th-16th centuries and was intended for foot combat. According to scattered historical sources, there were many variants of this weapon. A distinctive feature always remained a long spike at the top and often at the lower end of the weapon, but the shape of the warhead varied: there was a heavy ax blade, a hammer with a counterweight spike, and much more.

On the shaft of the polex you can see metal plates. These are the so-called splints, which provide the shaft with additional protection from cutting. Sometimes you can also find rondels - special discs that protect the hands. Polex is not only a combat weapon, but also a tournament weapon, and therefore additional protection, even if it reduces combat effectiveness, seems justified. It is worth noting that, unlike the halberd, the pommel of the polex was not solidly forged, and its parts were attached to each other using bolts or pins.

Bearded Ax

The “beard” gave the ax additional cutting properties

The “classic”, “grandfather’s” ax came to us from the north of Europe. The name itself is most likely of Scandinavian origin: a Norwegian word Skeggox consists of two words: skegg(beard) and ox(axe) - now you can show off your knowledge of Old Norse on occasion! A characteristic feature of the ax is the straight upper edge of the warhead and the blade drawn downwards. This shape gave the weapon not only chopping, but also cutting properties; In addition, the “beard” made it possible to take the weapon with a double grip, in which one hand was protected by the blade itself. In addition, the notch reduced the weight of the ax - and, given the short handle, fighters with this weapon relied not on strength, but on speed.

This ax, like its many relatives, is a tool for both household work and combat. For the Norwegians, whose light canoes did not allow them to take with them excess luggage (after all, they still had to leave room for looted goods!), such versatility played a very important role.

An ax is a universal weapon. They use it to chop wood or... enemies. In ancient times, it was difficult to imagine a warrior without a battle axe. Largely because of its convenience: with a relatively low weight, it had impressive striking power. Therefore, the battle ax was equally effective against infantry and cavalry. In our review of the top 5 most formidable and popular battle axes of the past.

1. Ax

The ax has long occupied a dominant position in the warrior’s armament among other types of battle axes. She was especially loved by the Scandinavian warriors - the Vikings. The Slavs also had a fairly common weapon.

The ax is distinguished by a special blade shape - in the form of a crescent up to 35 centimeters long. In addition, the long shaft made the strikes incredibly productive. A special design made it possible to use the ax as a kind of harpoon to pull an enemy off a horse.

The ax was popular until the late Middle Ages, when the era of knights gradually became a thing of the past, and they were replaced by lightly armed warriors. Swords and sabers were capable of cutting through thinner chain mail, and there was no longer a need for heavy battle axes.

Interesting fact: The “revival” of the ax took place not so long ago and, oddly enough, in Hollywood. Directors and producers really liked these double-bladed axes. And although they are considered one of the most inconvenient modifications of these weapons, their impressive appearance has attracted cinema.

2. Berdysh

In a sense, the reed can be called a type of ax. It also has a moon-shaped blade, but it is more elongated and has a sharp top. Another distinctive feature of this type of ax was the presence at the end of the long shaft (ratovishcha) of the so-called underflow - a special metal tip. It was installed so that the weapon could be placed vertically, resting it on the ground.

Berdysh was very convenient in close combat. The long shaft helped to keep the enemy at some distance, and the rounded blade helped to deliver crushing blows. The sharp end allowed the ax to also perform a stabbing function. The fairly wide blade was also capable of repelling enemy blows, and the warrior could even do without a shield.

The mounted troops had their own modification of this weapon. This reed was lighter and smaller in size. It had another distinctive feature: metal rings were threaded into it along the entire length of the blade. The berdysh gradually fell out of mass use by warriors around the same period as the ax itself.

3. Bearded ax

Today this weapon is also called the “grandfather’s axe,” which indicates its traditional nature and widespread use. Its homeland is considered to be northern Europe, presumably in the territory of modern Norway. This ax has a number of characteristic features that distinguish it from other “relatives”. The blade has a clearly horizontal upper edge, but the lower part, on the contrary, is elongated.

This unusual design made it possible to perform several functions at once: both as a chopping and as a cutting weapon. The elongated part itself, the so-called. The “beard” made it possible for a double grip, with one hand protected by the blade itself. And the short handle made the ax lighter, and the warrior could use not only the force of the blow, but also the speed.

Due to its characteristics, the beard-shaped ax was quite universal: it was used both in everyday life and during battle. This made the Scandinavian warriors very fond of him: as you know, the Vikings had fairly light boats, so they clearly could not afford heavy, bulky luggage.

4. Valashka

Wallachka is a battle ax with a clear localization of its distribution. It can be called the “national” weapon of the Carpathian highlanders. It is worth saying that this ax is popular among Romanians, Hutsuls, and Lemkos, but it has different names: bartka, balta, topirets. Actually, the weapon received the name “Wallachka” from the Romanian historical region of Wallachia, where the legendary Vlad the Impaler was from.

The valashka is a narrow wedge-shaped knob on a long handle. The butt of the ax was often made in the form of a forged animal head or simply decorated with carved ornaments. This design allowed the ax to be universal in use. It was used both as a weapon and as a staff while moving in the mountains.

Valashka was so loved by the Carpathian mountaineers that it became, among other things, part of their national costume. The ax was also used as a ritual object - they even danced with it. Wallashka was a kind of sign of the status of a married man, the head of the family.

5. Polex

The Polex was a very popular polearm for foot combat among European warriors of the 14th and 15th centuries. He was especially loved by the participants of padarms - knightly tournaments with theatrical elements. According to information, Polex had many varieties and modifications, differing in size, weight or additional equipment.

The main distinguishing characteristics of the polex were the long spike at the top of the weapon and at its lower end. The shape of the blade varied: heavy, wide, or in the form of a hammer with a counterweight spike. The individual parts of the ax head were attached to one another with pins or bolts.

Polex, being a tournament weapon, assumed the presence of additional protective elements, even if they reduced its combat effectiveness. For example, on the shaft of an ax there were sometimes splints - special metal strips that protected it from being cut. In some cases, special discs were also used to protect the hands during battle, the so-called rondels.

It has come a long way through millennia with man and still remains a very popular instrument. Battle axes were virtually revived after the Vietnam War (1964-1975) and are currently experiencing a new wave of popularity. The main secret of the ax lies in its versatility, although cutting down trees with a battle ax is not very convenient.

Battle ax parameters

After watching films in which horned Vikings swing huge axes, many are left with the impression that a battle ax is something huge, terrifying just by its appearance. But real battle axes differed from working axes precisely in their small size and increased shaft length. The battle ax usually weighed from 150 to 600 grams, and the length of the handle was about 80 centimeters. With such weapons one could fight for hours without getting tired. The exception was the two-handed axe, the shape and size of which correspond to the impressive “film” specimens.

Types of battle axes

According to types and shapes, battle axes can be divided into:

• One-handed;
• Two-handed;
• Single blade;
• Double-edged.

In addition, axes are divided into:

• Actually axes;
• Axes;
• Mints;

Each of these species has many subspecies and variations, however, the main division looks exactly like this.

Ancient battle ax

The history of the ax began back in the Stone Age. As you know, the first tools for man were a stick and a stone. The stick evolved into a club or club, the stone into a sharp axe, which is the ancestor of the axe. A chopper could be used to cut up prey or cut a branch. Even then, the ancestor of the ax was used in intertribal skirmishes, as evidenced by the finds of broken skulls.

A turning point in the history of the ax was the invention of a method for connecting a stick with an ax. This simple design increased the impact power several times. At first, the stone was tied to the handle with vines or animal sinews, which made an extremely unreliable connection, although it was enough for several blows of the ax. The shape of the stone ax even then resembled the modern one. Combat skirmishes required reliable weapons, and gradually axes began to be polished and attached to the handle through a hole drilled in the stone. Making a high-quality ax required long and painstaking work, so skillfully made axes were used mainly in skirmishes with enemies. Already in that era, a division into combat and working axes appeared.

Bronze Age axes

The era of bronze axes flourished in ancient Greece. At first, the Hellenic battle ax was made of stone, but with the development of metallurgy, battle axes began to be made of bronze. Along with bronze axes, stone axes were also used for a long time. For the first time, Greek axes began to be made double-edged. The most famous Greek double-bladed ax is the labrys.

Images of labrys are often found on ancient Greek vases; it is held in the hands of the supreme god of the Greek pantheon, Zeus. Finds of huge labryses in excavations of Cretan palaces indicate the cultic and symbolic use of these axes. Labryses were divided into two groups:

• Cult and ceremonial;
• Battle Labryses.

With the cult ones, everything is clear: due to their enormous size, they simply could not be used in skirmishes. The battle labrys was the same size as a regular battle ax (a small ax on a long handle), only the blades were located on both sides. We can say that these are two axes combined into one. The complexity of manufacturing made such an ax an attribute of leaders and great warriors. Most likely, this served as the basis for the further ritualization of labrys. To use it in battle, a warrior had to have considerable strength and dexterity. Labrys could be used as a two-handed weapon, because two blades made it possible to strike without turning the shaft. In this case, the warrior had to dodge enemy blows, and any hit from the labrys was usually fatal.

Using a labrys in tandem with a shield required enormous skill and strength in the hands (although labrys for this purpose were made individually and were smaller). Such a warrior was practically invincible and in the eyes of others was the embodiment of a hero or god.

Barbarian axes from the era of ancient Rome

During the reign of ancient Rome, the main weapon of barbarian tribes was also an ax. Among the barbarian tribes of Europe there was no strict division into classes; every man was a warrior, hunter and farmer. Axes were used both in everyday life and in war. However, in those days there was a very specific ax - the Francis, which was used only for combat.

Having first encountered barbarians armed with Francis on the battlefield, the invincible legionnaires initially suffered defeat after defeat (however, the Roman military school quickly developed new methods of defense). The barbarians threw their axes at the legionnaires with tremendous force, and when they were at close range, they chopped with them at great speed. As it turned out, the barbarians had two types of Francis:

• Throwing, with a shorter handle, to which a long rope was often tied, allowing the weapon to be pulled back;
• Francis for close combat, which was used as a two-handed or one-handed weapon.

This division was not rigid and, if necessary, a “regular” Francis could be thrown no worse than a “special” one.

The very name “Francis” reminds us that this battle ax was used by the Germanic tribe of the Franks. Each warrior had several axes, and the francisca for close combat was a carefully stored weapon and the pride of its owner. Numerous excavations of the burials of rich warriors indicate the high importance of these weapons for the owner.

Viking battle ax

Ancient Viking battle axes were terrible weapons of that era and were associated specifically with sea robbers. One-handed axes had many forms, not very different from each other, but the two-handed broadaxe was remembered for a long time by the enemies of the Vikings. The main difference between Brodex is its wide blade. With such a width it is difficult to talk about the versatility of the ax, but it cut off limbs with one blow. In that era, armor was leather or chain mail, and a wide blade cut through it perfectly.

There were also one-handed broadaxes, but the so-called “Danish axe” was two-handed and was perfectly suited to the tall and on foot Scandinavian pirates. Why did the ax become a symbol of the Vikings? The Scandinavians did not go to the “Vikings” for prey because of the incredible steepness, they were forced to do so by the harsh natural conditions and infertile lands. Where do poor farmers get the money to buy swords? But everyone had an ax on their household. After reforging the blade, all that was needed was to place the ax on a long, strong handle, and the terrible Viking was ready to go. After successful campaigns, the warriors acquired good armor and weapons (including swords), but the ax remained the favorite weapon of many fighters, especially since they wielded it masterfully.

Slavic battle axes

The shape of the battle axes of ancient Rus' was practically no different from the one-handed axes of Scandinavia. Since Rus' had close ties with Scandinavia, the Russian battle ax was the twin brother of the Scandinavian one. Russian foot squads and especially the militia used battle axes as their main weapon.

Rus' also maintained close ties with the East, where the specific battle hatchet came from - the coin. The hatchet-hatchet is similar to it. You can often come across information that a mint and a klevets are the same weapon - but despite their external similarity, these are completely different axes. The mint has a narrow blade that cuts through the target, while the klevet is shaped like a beak and pierces the target. If metal of not the best quality can be used to make a hammer, then the narrow blade of the hammer must withstand significant loads. The Russian military coinage was the weapon of horsemen who adopted this weapon from the horse-dwellers of the steppe. The coinage was often richly decorated with precious inlay and served as a badge of honor for the military elite.

In later times, the battle ax in Rus' served as the main weapon of bandit gangs and was a symbol of peasant revolts (along with battle scythes).

The ax is the main competitor of the sword

For many centuries, the battle ax was not inferior to such specialized weapons as the sword. The development of metallurgy made it possible to mass-produce swords intended exclusively for combat functions. Despite this, the axes did not give up positions, and judging by the excavations, they were even in the lead. Let's consider why the ax, as a universal tool, could compete on equal terms with the sword:

• The high cost of a sword compared to an ax;
• The ax was available in any household and was suitable for battle after minor modifications;
• For an ax it is not necessary to use high-quality metal.

Currently, many companies manufacture so-called “tactical” tomahawks or battle axes. The products of the SOG company with their flagship model M48 are especially advertised. The axes have a very impressive “predatory” appearance and various options for the butt (hammer, picker or second blade). These devices are more intended for combat operations than for economic use. Because of the plastic handle, it is not recommended to throw such tomahawks: they fall apart after several hits against a tree. This device is also not very comfortable in the hand and constantly tries to turn, which is why the blow can turn out to be a sliding one or even a flat one. It is better to make a battle ax yourself or with the help of a blacksmith. Such a product will be reliable and made according to your hand.

Making a battle ax

In order to make a battle axe, you will need an ordinary household ax (preferably made in the USSR during the time of Stalin), a template and a grinder with a sharpener. Using the template, we cut the blade and give the ax the desired shape. After this, the ax is mounted on a long handle. That's it, the battle ax is ready!

If you want to get a high-quality battle axe, you can forge it yourself or order it from a blacksmith. In this case, you can choose the grade of steel and be completely confident in the quality of the finished product.

The history of battle axes goes back more than tens of thousands of years, and although in the modern world there are few models left specifically for combat use, many people keep an ordinary ax at home or in the country, which can be turned into a combat ax without much effort.

If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below the article. We or our visitors will be happy to answer them

I am interested in martial arts with weapons and historical fencing. I write about weapons and military equipment because it is interesting and familiar to me. I often learn a lot of new things and want to share these facts with people who are interested in military issues.

The most dangerous weapon of the Middle Ages was the steel ax. The word “axe” comes from the ancient Slavic “sokir”, which translates as an axe. Most axes of this type have similar features, but some, such as the reed or halberd, differ significantly from traditional weapons of this type.

Unlike an axe, a forged ax is a typical military weapon. The blade of the ax is semicircular, which makes it inconvenient for household work.

general information

The first examples of weapons that have reached our times were found in excavations in ancient Greek cities. The ancient ax - labrys - was very popular in Greece. This weapon was considered sacred; only rulers and legendary heroes of those times owned it. Labrys is a two-handed ax with two blades. Such weapons were common among the Greeks and Asian peoples, as well as among the ancient Romans.

Slavic axes are not so popular and came to Rus' from the Vikings, for whom they were a common weapon. This weapon became widespread after Russian soldiers clashed with armored German knights. Often Russian axes had a forged spike on the reverse side, with which it was possible to pierce the strongest armor.

After some time, Russian battle axes evolved into berdyshes, which had a completely different balance. With this weapon, which had a very formidable appearance, it was possible not only to chop, but also to stab, like a spear. Skilled ax warriors have always preferred axes, as they are much faster than a classic axe.

As a rule, axes were forged in the following ways:

• High-quality weapons are forged from scratch, taking into account all the wishes of the future owner. Such weapons were quite expensive;
• Simpler weapons were forged from ordinary battle axes. At the same time, the blade was pulled back, giving it the shape of a crescent;
• The lowest-grade weapons were made from ordinary peasant axes. The quality of this weapon was very low, although its appearance could be the same as in the second case.

In any case, the ax was intended only for combat, so cutting down a tree, for example, was problematic.

Characteristics of the ax

Forged axes consist of the following parts:

• Shaft;
• Blades;
• A butt, in the form of which a spike, a hammer or a second blade could often appear;
• A special counterweight on the opposite part of the shaft.

Such specific types of axes, such as halberds or reeds, were up to 2.5 meters long and were used only by infantry. Horse axes often had a spike on the back side, and their length was about 70-80 cm. The longest type of such weapons were boarding halberds, which were up to three meters long.

The blade of most types of such axes did not move far from the shaft, since otherwise balance was lost, which negatively affected the speed of wielding the weapon. Most models of these weapons had a two-handed grip and a long shaft, although in China there were very popular paired axes with a short shaft.

A very interesting type of battle ax is the executioner’s ax. This weapon had features atypical for its class:

• The executioner's forged weapon had a huge weight - from 5 kg, which made it unsuitable for combat use;
• The steel that was used for the executioner's ax was of a higher quality, since the work had to be done with one blow.

In addition, the executioners had to have enormous strength, since some noble criminals were supposed to be executed with a sword, with which it was much more difficult to cut off their heads.

The most famous axes in our time are the two-handed Viking axes. Thanks to films, many people imagine that the Vikings all owned just such weapons. In fact, the most popular weapons of the Scandinavians were spears and one-handed axes weighing about 700 grams. Only the strongest fighters wielded a heavy forged axe. Often these were berserkers who relied only on strength in battle, completely rejecting defense.

Multifunctionality of the ax

The advent of axes, especially such as halberds, significantly changed the course of the war. Since this weapon could act as an ax and a spear at the same time. In a one-on-one fight, subject to equal experience, the warrior with the halberd won. Small detachments with axes of this type were especially effective.

The ax could be used in the following ways:

• It was possible to pull riders off their horses or cut off the legs of animals. Everything depended on the type of battle axes;
• An ax with a tip on top could be used as a spear to keep the enemy out of striking distance;
• Thanks to balance, warriors could easily change battle tactics, turning their improvised spears into axes.

Since axes in different countries could differ significantly in both blade shape and size, we need to consider the most popular models separately.

Features of the halberd

A halberd is a long ax with an elongated blade and a spear point. The length of the tip could reach a meter. In Europe, this weapon spread in the 13th century. It was first demonstrated by Swiss mercenaries, who, like the ancient Vikings, were hired into the troops of the rulers of Europe. The knightly cavalry, having encountered the Swiss in battle, felt the power of two-handed axes.

The classic halberd was about 2.5 meters long and its weight reached 5.5 kg. It was the balance of the weapon that allowed the warriors to wield it throughout the entire battle. Until the 15th century, the shape of halberds changed. There were models that looked almost the same as simple axes. In the 15th century, the shape of the halberd was brought to a single model, which worked best in battle.

There was no armor that a two-handed halberd could not penetrate. Its tip easily entered even the best Milanese armor. The blade inflicted terrible chopped wounds, and with the help of the butt it was possible to stun the enemy. If the butt had a hook, then it could be used to pull riders to the ground.

Scandinavian and Slavic axes

The ancient Vikings became famous precisely for their two-handed battle axes, with which they terrified all of medieval Europe. Unlike one-handed hatchets, which were used in conjunction with a shield, the two-handed ax had a very wide blade. To lighten the weight, the thickness did not exceed 2 mm. Only the strongest Scandinavians, of whom there were many among the Vikings, worked with axes. For the average European warrior, such a weapon was beyond the power.

Having passed from the Vikings to the Slavs, this ax was not widely used, since local warriors did not need heavy weapons in the fight against light steppe cavalry. Although the Scandinavian squads with huge axes were a formidable force, after several skirmishes with the steppes they abandoned their favorite weapon, which was not suitable for such battles.

The parameters of the Scandinavian ax were as follows:

• The weight of the weapon was about a kilogram;
• The blade had a length of 30-40 cm;
• The blade thickness was about 2 mm;
• The shaft was up to two meters.

The Scandinavian or Danish ax required enormous strength, endurance and skill from its owner, since this weapon was very difficult to use for defense. However, its length and speed in skillful hands created a deadly zone around the fighter, into which only spears or arrows could penetrate.

Subsequently, the Scandinavian ax began to evolve, turning into a Swiss halberd in Europe and a berdysh in Rus'. Already in the 15th century, traditional Danish axes were forced out of the battlefield, but in Ireland and Scotland they were widely used until the 17th century.

Russian berdysh and its features

The first berdysh appeared in Rus' at the end of the 16th century, in the so-called “times of troubles”. Researchers still haven’t figured out where the name of this popular weapon came from. Some believe that it comes from the French "bardiche", while others draw a parallel with the Polish word "berdysz". If we take into account the fact that Moscow was at war with Poland at that time, then, most likely, these weapons came from there.

Russian warriors quickly appreciated this ax. Simplicity of design and low price were combined with the incredible power of this weapon. Since the Russian militia was good at using axes, it was very easy for them to master the reeds. This ax has the following design features:

• The blade is long, crescent shaped;
• The shaft or “ratovishche” had a length of about 180 cm;
• The berdysh was put on the ax handle in the same way as a regular axe.

A special feature of the reed was the braid - the edge of the blade drawn downwards, which was nailed to the shaft, after which it was additionally wrapped with a leather strap.

There were attempts to equip mounted archers with reeds, but due to the size of the weapon, this attempt was unsuccessful. Although the weapons of the mounted archers were much shorter, it was extremely difficult for them to operate with one hand. But the foot archers really loved the reeds, which they used not only as a weapon, but also as a specific stand for shooting from arquebuses and muskets.

Although it is believed that all reeds were the same, they had a wide variety of shapes. Researchers identify four main groups, each of which has many subspecies:

• Axe-shaped reeds. This weapon is the closest relative of the Danish two-handed axes. This species was the very first to appear;
• With a long blade shaped like a crescent. The upper edge of the blade was horn-shaped and was used for stabbing;
• This form is similar to the previous one, except that the blade was forged into two points;
• With a pointed blade, the lower part of which was forged into two points.

In addition, in Rus' there were special ceremonial berdysh, which were often decorated with gold and velvet. Such axes were called golden axes.

Features of the Polex ax

One of the most interesting types of battle axes was the polex. It can be classified as both a type of war hammer and an axe. Although outwardly it looks more like a hybrid of three types of weapons:

• Battle axe;
• Spears;
• War hammer.

These weapons became popular in the 15th and 16th centuries and were significantly superior to halberds in both functionality and speed. Infantrymen armed with a polex could cut, stab and crush. The long shaft of the weapon had iron stripes at the top, which served to protect it from being cut.

There were also modifications with rondels (hand protection). But the most important feature of the polex was its special design, which was prefabricated. Thanks to this, any damaged part of the ax could be detached and replaced with a new one. If a damaged halberd had to be completely redone, then the polex had a significant advantage in this regard.

Ancient Slavic ax of Perun

The fact that the Slavs revered the ax is evidenced by the amulet that has come down to us “Perun’s axe.” Since time immemorial, the ax amulet has been worn by warriors of Slavic origin. The ax of Perun is considered a talisman of warriors, which gives them courage and perseverance in battle. Currently, you can purchase this amulet made of both steel and precious metals. Although in modern drawings Perun's ax is depicted as an ancient Greek labrys, it actually has the shape of a traditional battle ax that was popular among Scandinavian and Slavic warriors. For those who are interested in the history of the ancient Slavs, Perun's ax can be a wonderful gift.

Battle axes have accompanied humanity for many centuries. At first, these weapons symbolized strength and power. With the development of metallurgy in the Middle Ages, the ax became an ordinary weapon loved by the Vikings and knights. Even with the advent of firearms, axes, along with pikes, were still used on the battlefield for a long time.