Table of Contents
Did Vikings carry swords on their backs?
Viking Weapons: Swords The most expensive weapon was the sword, as it took the most iron to make. Swords were often highly decorated and many had names such as Blood-hungry or Leg-biter. Vikings carried their swords in scabbards, worn over the shoulder and always accessible to the right hand.
How were Viking weapons decorated?
Vikings were also skilled with bows and arrows. The weapons were made with iron, and often decorated with inlaid, or encrusted silver or copper. Axes with long wooden handles were the most common Viking weapon. A Viking’s weapons were usually buried with him when he died.
Why didn’t the natives kill armored Spanish knights in battle?
In Europe, the armored knight had dominated the battlefield for centuries and weapons such as the harquebus and crossbow were specifically designed to pierce armor and defeat them. The natives had no such weapons and therefore killed very few armored Spanish in battle.
What weapons did the Aztecs use to defeat the Spanish conquistadors?
These weapons could batter and bruise Spanish conquistadors, but only rarely did any serious damage through the heavy armor. Aztec warriors occasionally had a macuahuitl, a wooden sword with jagged obsidian shards set in the sides: it was a lethal weapon, but still no match for steel.
How did different cultures in South America use weapons?
In South America, some cultures developed bows and arrows, although they were rarely able to pierce armor. Other cultures used a sort of sling to hurl a stone with great force. Aztec warriors used the atlatl, a device used to hurl javelins or darts at great velocity. Native cultures wore elaborate, beautiful armor.
What was the role of the cavalry in the Spanish conquests?
The cavalry would usually carry the day in the battles of the conquest. When the spoils were divided, cavalrymen received a much higher share of the treasure than foot soldiers. Some Spanish soldiers would save up and purchase a horse as a sort of investment which would pay off in future conquests.