Makhaira
The makhaira (μάχαιρα, also transliterated machaira) is an ancient Greek word that refers to a class of large metal cutting instruments. Its exact meaning depends on the context, but it generally refers to a large knife with a slight backwards curve. In a martial context, both the kopis and the makhaira referred to a class of curved weapons, the only real difference being the direction of the blade curvature (Trassuk). These weapons were of various sizes and shapes, being regional, and not exclusively Greek. Greek art shows the Lacedaemonian and Persian armies employing curved weapons, but Persian records show that their primary infantry sword was straight, similar to the Greek xiphos. While Xenophon states that xiphos was more conventional among Greek armies of his time, he recommended the makhaira for cavalry, "μάχαιράν μεν μάλλον ἡ ξίφος ἐπαίνουμεν" (Xenophon, 12:11). His reasoning concurs with the general practice of arming cavalry with curved swords through the ages. Greek art along with Xenophon's further commentary suggests that the sword he intended for the cavalry was wider than the more modern saber; more akin to the falchion. The Koine of the New Testament uses the word makhaira to refer to a sword generically, not making any particular distinction between native blades and the gladius of the Roman soldier. This ambiguity appears to have contributed to the apocryphal malchus, a supposedly short curved sword used by Peter to cut off the ear of a slave named Malchus during the arrest of Jesus. While such a weapon clearly is a makhaira by ancient definition, the imprecise nature of the word as used in the New Testament cannot provide any conclusive answer. Sources: Tarassuk & Blair, "kopis," The Complete Encyclopedia of Arms and Weapons, 1979. Liddel & Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, ninth edition, 1996. Xenophon, On Horsemanship
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