I'll start with ancient era designs
Egyptian Khopesh - The oldest distinctive regional sword type.Came in service around 2500 BC served for over 2000 yrs and was the main close quarter weapon of the egyptian infantry during its golden age.Made of bronze its a cutting weapon and its shape gives it excellent hacking power,the hook like shape can also disarm an enemy.The sword was adopted from the canaanites of the levant pre-biblical times.It is thought to have evolved from the farming sickle,a familiar tool in the agriculturally productive levant and nile basin.
Greek Xiphos -the classic short sword.Leaf shaped provides for both cutting and thrusting.Its design traces back to bronze era,most bronze swords have similar design.Popular during graeco-persian wars.50-60 cm in length.
Its a reliable weapon but lacks reach,its meant as a secondary weapon after spear is discarded or broken.
Scythian/persian Akinake - Short sword,originated in scythia.Popularized by the persian empire.The persian immortals wore golden acinaces.35-45 metre.Like the xiphos a secondary weapon for close quarters after spear is gone.More of an ambush thrusting dagger weapon than cutting one due to very small length.
Indian Khanda -the classical broadsword.Origins iron age 500 BC,refered to in ancient texts as asi.Its modern form came to be during gupta era 300 AD.In use well into late medieval era.Especially favoured by rajputs.90 cm.Double edged broadsword with blunt edge.Generally used with 2 hands.Serrated edge.
Pros - Good reach,deadly cutting power,serrated edge suited to penetrating armor especially if used with both hands.
Cons - Clumsy weapon requires space to use(overhead swing for maximum power),incapable of thrusting attacks due to blunt tip.
Spartan Kopis - (derived from egyptian word khopesh)forward curved blade shaped like a meat cleaver.It originated as a close quarter weapon to be used during phalanx pushing contests once spear is broken.One handed and meant to be used with a shield,initial versions are 60 cm in length same as xiphos.Spartans used weapons shorter in length due to enclosed spaces in a slugfest between phalanxes.The
macedonian machaira popularized by alexander's troops was shorter at about 45-50 cm.The later day nepalese kukri and turkish yatagan are derivatives of this design.Fast,and capable of lethal thrusts and cuts,but lacking reach.Deadlier than th earlier xiphos which it replaced in greece.
Iberian/Spanish Falcata - Originating around the same time as the kopis but in parallel to it in modern day spain.The falcata has a single-edged blade that pitches forward towards the point, the edge being concave near the hilt, but convex near the point. This shape distributes the weight in such a way that the falcata is capable of delivering a blow with the momentum of an axe, while maintaining the longer cutting edge of a sword.Slightly larger than a kopis at 65-70cm this was not a secondary weapon but often used with as word after throwing javelins.The romans encountered these weapons against spanish mercenaries of carthage and were shocked by their effectiveness.The roman gladius was adopted by combining the xiphos design with the falcata.Thus the gladius hispaniensis means spanish sword.
Roman Gladius - The sword that built the roman empire,along with the maxim machine gun,the mongol composite bow and the ak-47 its one of the unique weapontypes responsible for most deaths in human history.Length 60-85 cm.Originally adopted from the spanish falcata design.From left to right are the 4 typesTop left-Gladius hispaniensis.Its longer than the latter designs,and is the original republican era weapon.In the middle is the early imperial era fulham and mainz type.To the bottom right is the middle imperial era pompeii type.The original design is meant for both cutting and stabbing,the middle designs focus more on stabbing.The pompeii design was largely for stabbing.The gladius was meant to be used with a shield and armor.The shield deflected the opponents blow or thrust him back allowing a few seconds opening for rapid strike with the short sword from beyond the protection of the shield into the opponent's midsection without exposing oneself,a very effective type of combat.The thrust became more and more emphasized with time.Slash was used against a shielded opponent(who had not been unshielded by the pilum throw),stooping slow and slashing at kneecaps beneath the shield(especially round shields).The gladius is suited to use in packed formations in close quarters like the legions.
Gladius hispaniensis - Used from around 216 BC until 20 BC,Length of 70-85cm.Longest and heaviest type.
Mainz-Fulham - The 2 types of the early imperial era from augustus's time.65-70 cm.But blade width increased.More width designed to pierce celtic mail armor.Quality wise probably the best.
Pompeii type - Most produced imperial era weapon.Lightest at just 1.5 pounds for rapid thrusts with hardened edge.60-65 cm.Triangular tip and easy to mass produce.
Chinese Jian - Chinese straight sword with variations in use.Originally a short sword in bronze age era by 500 BC increased in length to modern proportions(70-80cm).It has a pommel for balance ad grip on the end.Sizes range from 45 to 80cm.
Pros- Lighweight,one handed,solid cutting power and good thrust.Well balanced.Easy to manuever blade.
Cons - Average reach.Wing shaped circular handguard largely ineffective.Not good against armour.
Will add more later.
