Obsidian Knife
Hypothetically speaking, if the Maya ever went to war with the Romans, who would win?
Yes, I do know that the two civilizations never met in real life but imagine if they did.
I was watching a show on the History Channel that talked about Maya warfare and the weapons they used. Consider this: do you think the Maya, a stone age civilization with no metal weaponry (but had some nasty hand-to-hand combat weapons) could go head-to-head with Roman soldiers and possibly give them a run for their (the Romans) money?
The Maya had some pretty amazing weapons such as clubs lined with sharpened obsidian and an axe that was both a tool and a weapon. They also had spears and other stuff too.
The Romans had spears, large knives, and swords. They also had armor, something that the Maya didn’t have.
What are your thoughts? Consider also fighting tactics as well as motivations for fighting and/or waging war.
There are several good answers here and I just can’t pick one so I’m putting it to a vote.
Hiya,
I’ll bet on the Romans.
The Romans had unit tactics, and trained soldiers, with the cohesiveness and espirit de corps that provides. The Romans also had a system for replacement within the century (their basic fighting unit) that provided for a fighting line that did not falter as casualties mounted. Primarily, it is the training and discipline that that made the Romans difficult to beat.
In addition to that, however, the Romans invented and perfected the use of close combat tactics. Throughout their history, and then into the warfare history of Europe until the time of Genghis Khan, the Roman square, and the line of infantrymen it supported, was basically unbeatable in battle.
In small unit infantry tactics, US soldiers still learn how to fight along a line and how to support one another in close combat and hand-to-hand fighting using the same tactics the Romans developed over 2000 years ago.
Although, I know almost nothing about the Maya, their weapons, tactics, or training. A bit of a blind bet, but that’s life, eh?
Great Question, by the way!
Knife review: prehistoric obsidian knife and dark ages scramasax
|
|
DRAGON KILLER bowie style STONE knife collection Dragon’s liar OBSIDIAN knives $4,000.00 |
|
|
Callahan “Mandan Special” Obsidian. Wood handle Fixed blade knife Hand Knapped $499.99 |
|
|
14 1/2″ A Game Of thrones Inspired Obsidian Viking Zombie Flint Knapped Knife $449.99 |
|
|
XL Custom Native American Chief Rainbow Obsidian Indian Wolf Flint Knapped Knife $449.99 |
|
|
Callahan “Neo Special” Obsidian and Antler handle Fixed blade knife Hand Knapped $399.99 |
|
|
Papua New Guinea Obsidian Knife with Lou Island Markings $399.99 |
|
|
GB~BUSTEDFLAKES~KNAPPED KNAPPING STONE WOOD HANDLE KNIFE~BONE POLISHED OBSIDIAN $399.99 |
|
|
Exotic Carved Eagle on Warthog handle-Super Banded Obsidian Knife~Fallow Antler $349.00 |
|
|
AMAZING ENTARSIA MEXI~VELVET Obsidian Knife~lace redwood & quilted maple~MADRONA $349.00 |
|
|
SPECTACULAR LACE MAPLE BURL~CLARO & CALIFORNIA WALNUT~Smokey Obsidian Knife $339.00 |
|
|
UNIQUE KIND ENTARSIA tri-flo Obsidian Knife~lace redwood & quilted maple~MADRONA $299.00 |
|
|
2000 Kenny Hull Obsidian Knife Beaded Knapped $299.99 |
|
|
Wapiti Elk Triple Flow Obsidian Flint Knapping Bowie Hunting Knife Petroglyph $299.99 |
|
|
AMAZING ENTARSIA TRI-FLOW Obsidian Knife~Amboyna & Claro Walnut maple Burl $280.00 |
|
|
Amazing Electric Blue Obsidian Knapped Knife mueseum quality from Lassen creek. $275.00 |
|
|
14″ Male Obsidian Knife with Saguaro Cactus Mount $276.00 |
|
|
Callahan “Turk” Obsidian and Antler handle Fixed blade knife Hand Knapped $249.99 |
|
|
Kenny Hull Beaded Obsidian Knife Knapped Unique $219.99 |
|
|
Kenny Hull Obsidian Knife Beaded Knapped $219.99 |
|
|
SAVE~Lot of 4 Different Style Obsidian Knife~knives~Four birds with one stone $210.99 |
|
|
UNBELIEVABLE Obsidian Knife – 13″ blade – Antler Handle $199.95 |
|
|
CASE XX EXOTIC MAHOGANY OBSIDIAN TINY TRAPPER KNIFE $195.00 |
|
|
Wolf Print Triple Flow Obsidian Flint Knapped Indian Knife Bear Wolf Hunting ~SC $179.99 |
|
|
11 1/2″ Inspired By A Game Of Thrones Viking Obsidian Flint Knapped Wolf Knife $179.99 |
|
|
Flint Knapped Knife Rainbow Obsidian California western Mule Deer Antler #2124 $179.95 |
|
|
Deer Print Rainbow Obsidian Flint Knapped Indian Knife Bear Wolf Hunting ~ SC $174.99 |
|
|
Deer Print Triple Flow Obsidian Flint Knapped Indian Knife Bear Wolf Hunting ~SC $174.99 |
|
|
CASE XX 2006 EXOTIC MAHOGANY OBSIDIAN & AMBER DOCTOR KNIFE 1/500 EX185SS RARE $163.99 |
|
|
CASE XX 2006 EXOTIC MAHOGANY OBSIDIAN & AMBER LRG TRAPPER KNIFE 1/500 EX254 RARE $163.99 |
|
|
Jaw Knife~Wicked Lace Obsidian Blade~FREE BONUS KNIFE~christmas gift~collectors $155.99 |
|
|
CASE XX 2006 EXOTIC MAHOGANY OBSIDIAN CONGRESS KNIFE $159.99 |
|
|
Triple flow Obsidian Knapped Knife, AMAZING Elk Antler Handle over 11″ $144.50 |
|
|
RARE Obsidian Knife- DEER HORN HANDLE WITH RED FUR $160.00 |
|
|
Three Red Obsidian Knife~Exotic springbok~Blood wood $159.76 |
|
|
DEER ANTLER KNIFE * OBSIDIAN CARVED ANTLER * FLINT KNAPPING * MOUNTAIN MEN KNIFE $150.00 |
|
|
Flint Knapped Knife Oregon Obsidian Antler Handle w/Skulls Design Sutton $149.95 |
|
|
LARGE~BIG~MAHOGANY Obsidian Knife~EXOTIC AFRICAN SPRINGBOK~gazelle~Collectors $145.00 |
|
|
Gold Brazilian Agate Obsidian Wolf Flint Knapped Scrimshaw Bowie Indian Knife $149.99 |
|
|
Flintknapped Knife The Hopi Snake Dancer Ribbon Obsidian Elk Antler Sutton #2141 $149.95 |
|
|
Jaw Knife~Blue Rainbow Obsidian Blade~FREE BONUS KNIFE~christmas gift~collectors $139.99 |
|
|
Stunning 11 1/4″ Tri–Flow Mahogany Obsidian Knife $135.00 |
|
|
BEST ON EBAY LACE Obsidian Blade Knife~indian knives~African springbok~GAZELLE $138.98 |
|
|
Large Top Notch Mahogany Obsidian Knife~Antler~Turqoise~Wolf Track~Mountain Man $137.00 |
|
|
Flint Knapped Knife Ribbon Obsidian Elk Antler Handle Gecko Carving Sutton #2210 $134.95 |
|
|
Gold Sheen / Dragon Skin Obsidian Flint Knapped Shaman Wolf Hunting Deer Knife $134.99 |
|
|
BIG~GREY BANDED OBSIDIAN~DEER ANTLER Knife~indian dance knives~POWOW~rendezvous $130.00 |
|
|
UNIQUE Electric Blue Rainbow Obsidian Knife~lace redwood handmade dagger style $129.00 |
|
|
Very Rare Rainbow Obsidian Knapped Knife, Goregeous Elk Handle $119.00 |
|
|
Top Notch Mahogany Obsidian Knife~Antler~Turqoise~Wolf Track~Wolves~Mountain Man $127.00 |
|
|
Wild Bill MEXI-VELVET Obsidian Patch Knife~1935 Buffalo Nickel~Indian knives $132.43 |
|
|
STUNNING MEXI-VELVET~Obsidian Knife Blade~knives~Hunting~western cabin decor $125.00 |
|
|
Scottsbluff Dart Point / Knife made of a tinted semi translucent gem obsidian $125.00 |
|
|
CASE XX 2006 EXOTIC MAHOGANY OBSIDIAN & AMBER PEANUT KNIFE 1/500 EX220SS RARE $124.99 |
|
|
Stunningly Beautiful Triple-flow Obsidian Knife~Exotic African springbok~Pow Wow $119.76 |
|
|
Gorgeous Pastel Banded Obsidian Knife~African springbok~Exotic Wood~Eagle~Wolf $119.00 |
|
|
STUNNING MEXI-VELVET~Obsidian Knife Blade~knives~Hunting~western cabin decor $120.00 |
|
|
WICKED LOCO MAHOGANY Obsidian Knife~knives~Antler~TURQUOISE~HANDMADE~BEAUTIFUL $119.98 |
|
|
AMERICAN INDIAN GRAY CLOUD OBSIDIAN COYOTE KNIFE $119.99 |
|
|
Beautiful Davis Creek Rainbow Obsidian Knife~Antler~Eagle~Wolves~Mountain Man $117.25 |
|
|
STUNNING BLUE COLORED RAINBOW OBSIDIAN~DEER ANTLER Knife~indian knives~~rare $115.00 |
|
|
Axes, Swords and Knives … |
|
|
Set of Two Arrowheads $9.95 One obsidian and one granite arrowhead in a box. A fun and simple surprise treat for your little geologist. These make wonderful birthday favors, stocking stuffers or Easter basket additions. Ages 4+…. |
|
|
Gerber 22-41022 Obsidian Serrated Edge Knife With Screwdriver and Bottle Opener $23.58 Gerber Obsidian Serrated Folding Knife matches a high – grade blade with a few always – handy tools. 440 stainless steel blade with dual thumb studs for one-handed opening and a safety-style lock ensuring the blade stays open or closed when you need it to. Add in cross point and flat head screw drivers, a file, and a bottle opener and you’ve got yourself a perfectly useful everyday carry Knife. To… |
|
|
L.L.Bean Gerber Obsidian Combo Edge Knife The Obsidian is a knife first and a multitool second. Versatile 3″ drop-point stainless-steel blade features both fine and serrated edges, making it a great all-around choice for most outdoor pursuits. Safety lock ensures that the blade stays open or closed when you need it to. Durable nylon handle. Four integrated tools are a handy addition that will help you tackle small jobs without breaking ou… |
|
|
Gerber 22-41021 Obsidian Fine Edge Knife With Screwdriver and Bottle Opener $25.00 Gerber Obsidian Fine – edge Folding Knife matches a high – grade blade with a few always – handy tools. 440 stainless steel blade with dual thumb studs for one-handed opening and a safety-style lock ensuring the blade stays open or closed when you need it to. Add in cross point and flat head screw drivers, a file, and a bottle opener and you’ve got yourself a perfectly useful everyday carry Knife…. |
|
|
Obsidian & Bone Knife $15.38 Now you can own one of the knives from your favorite epic science fiction film! This movie replica knife is constructed of synthetic obsidian with a bone handle. The nylon cord-wrappings on the handle add to the ruggedness of this blade. Includes leather belt sheath with a snap button closure. 7″ bl, 13 1/4″ ov… |
|
|
Pathways to Prismatic Blades: A Study in Mesoamerican Obsidian Core-Blade Technology (Cotsen Monograph) $11.48 Explores the social and economic processes involved in the manufacture of obsidian prismatic blades, one of the sharpest cutting instruments ever produced in the prehistoric world. Focusing on ancient Mesoamerica, contributors examine the variation in the way the blades were manufactured and the causes behind their variation. 145. (Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at UCLA 2002)… |
|
|
The obsidian blades of California (American anthropologist) … |