GHOST WITHOUT THE GLORY

Her eyes were black now, dark as sea-wet rocks,

Khopesh sword with cartouche of Ramesses II

A bronze Khopesh sword inscribed with the cartouches of King Ramesses II. The Khopesh is an Egyptian sickle-sword that evolved from battle axes. The blunted edge of the weapon’s tip also served as an effective bludgeon, as well as a hook. This Khopesh sword is made of bronze with a typical length of 57.5 cm.

The Egyptian term “khopesh”, hinted at the resemblance to the foreleg of a cow or an ox, as well as it was its owner’s “mighty arm”. The khopesh first appeared in the Middle Bronze Age, in the centuries before 2000 BC, and went out of use after 1200 BC.

New Kingdom, 19th Dynasty, ca. 1279-1213 BC. From Qantir. Now in the Louvre. E 25689