**Originally Listed At $200**

Classical World, Balkan Europe, Thrace/Dacia, ca. 4th to 1st century BCE. A beautiful cast bronze blade of sickle form, sharpened only on its interior side, with striated detailing across the grip and a chain-like border adorning the upper section of the grip and the lower section of the grip, extending all the way to the lower end of the blade. This is a weapon mentioned in many famous Roman sources, described by Ovid and Juvenal, with the Latin name "falx", meaning "sickle" or "scythe". Reputed to be an incredibly deadly weapon, a falx was able to be wielded with great force, splitting shields and piercing helmets, or used as a hook to pierce armor and rip it away from the body. Interestingly, the helical frieze on Trajan's column depicts the Roman conquest of Dacia which shows many of these weapons in use. Size: 11.5" L (29.2 cm)

Provenance: private California, USA collection

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#135183

Fissures to upper edge and lower edge at middle of blade. Normal surface wear and abrasions to peripheries. Gorgeous green patina!