A typical khopesh is 50–60 cm (20–24 inches) in length, though smaller examples also exist. The inside curve of the weapon could be used to trap an opponent's arm, or to pull an opponent's shield out of the way. These weapons changed from bronze to iron in the New Kingdom period.[3] The earliest known depiction of a khopesh is from the Stele of the Vultures, depicting King EannatumofLagash wielding the weapon; this would date the khopesh to at least 2500 BC.[4]
The blade is only sharpened on the outside portion of the curved end. The khopesh evolved from the epsilon or similar crescent-shaped axes that were used in warfare.[2]
The khopesh fell out of use around 1300 BC. However, on the 196 BCRosetta Stone, it is referenced as the "sword" determinative in a hieroglyph block, with the spelled letters of kh, p, and sh to say:
Shall be set up a statue ..., the AvengerofBaq-t-(Egypt), the interpretation whereof is 'Ptolemy, the strong oneofKam-t'-(Egypt), and a statue of the god of the city, giving to him a sword royal of victory, ...[5]
Various pharaohs are depicted with a khopesh, and some have been found in royal graves, such as the two examples found with Tutankhamun.[4]
Although some examples have clearly sharpened edges, many examples have dull edges that apparently were never intended to be sharp. It may therefore be possible that some khopeshes found in high-status graves were ceremonial variants.[4]
The word khopesh may have been derived from "leg", as in "leg of beef", because of their similarity in shape. The hieroglyph for ḫpš ('leg') is found as early as during the time of the Coffin Texts (the First Intermediate Period).[6]
^Budge, E.A.W. (1989) [1929]. "Rosetta line 6". The Rosetta Stone (unabridged, softcover, reprint ed.). Dover Publications. pp. 155–156. ISBN0-486-26163-8.
Wernick (2004). "A khepesh sword in the University of Liverpool Museum". JSSEA. 31: 151–155.
Massafra (2009). Le harpai nel Vicino Oriente antico. Cronologia e distribuzione. Rome La Sapienza Studies on the Archaeology of Palestine & Transjordan. Vol. 09. Roma (published 2012).{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
Media related to Khopesh at Wikimedia Commons
