Khopesh from bronze to iron? -- myArmoury.com

John C. Dos Santos · Posted: Thu 21 May, 2026 6:16 pm Post subject: Khopesh from bronze to iron?

Hello,
Has anyone studied khopesh swords? Was there a time where they might have made of iron and used in battle by Israelite or Egyptian armies?

Also,
Does anyone in the Northeastern United States participate in Bronze Age Living history or reenactment?

Thank you,
John

Dan Kary · Posted: Fri 22 May, 2026 7:29 am Post subject:

I'm not sure, but didn't they stop being used pretty early on? They stopped being used during the bronze age, I thought, and so I'm guessing they would never have been made of iron.

Matthew Amt · Posted: Fri 22 May, 2026 9:53 am Post subject:

Agreed. As far as I know, the khopesh did not survive into the Iron Age, so it was only made from bronze.

For reenactors, I've got a ton of kit, here in the DC/Baltimore area, but it's been a while! About 3 years ago I did an event as Romulus Founder of Rome, which is kind of Late Bronze/Early Iron (terrific and fascinating era!), can't even remember the last time I hauled out the Mycenaean stuff.

https://www.larp.com/hoplite/bronze.html

Matthew

Dan Howard · Posted: Sun 24 May, 2026 3:30 pm Post subject:

The khopesh falls out of use during the reign of Rameses II. By that time, the Egyptians were using the same sword types that all of their neighbours were using.

Dan Kary · Posted: Mon 25 May, 2026 8:19 am Post subject:

Dan Howard · Posted: Mon 25 May, 2026 4:32 pm Post subject:

This was a good thread about khopeshes. Unfortunately, most of the links to photos are now broken.

http://myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=9497