Aboard China's space station, astronauts have begun using a new hot air oven delivered by Shenzhou XXI to prepare freshly baked dishes, including chicken wings and steaks, as shown in a recent video from orbit.

Throughout the centuries, the word Teutonic has had multiple meanings. Originally, it was just the name of a Germanic tribe that fought a bloody war with the Romans. After this encounter, the word began to be used to describe the ferocious Germans more generally. In the Middle Ages, a knightly order bore the name, and the word Teutonic came to represent their chivalric values. In the modern era, the word Teutonic still holds a place in the lexicon, reflecting the enduring legacy of an ancient tribe of barbarians on the outskirts of Rome.Who Were the Teutones?Teutonic Women defend the Wagon Fort, by Heinrich Leutemann, 1882. Source: Wikimedia CommonsAbout 3000 BCE, Indo-Europeans migrated from their home along the Pontic-Caspian steppe, reaching what is now modern-day Germany. Over the following millennia, they divided into various tribes, all of which shared similar cultural and linguistic identities. One of these tribes was the Teutons, who inhabited the region of northern Europe on the Jutland peninsula. Some time in the 2nd century BCE, the Teutons and a nearby related tribe, the Cimbri, migrated southeast. The reason for this migration is a matter of debate. It could have been due to flooding, famine, or competition from other tribes. As they journeyed, the combined Teuton-Cimbri migration displaced some of the Celtic tribes they encountered, including the Boii and the Scordisci. They continued south until they reached the Danube River, where they displaced the Taurisci, another Celtic tribe. However, the Taurisci were an ally of the Roman Republic, setting the stage for a clash between the Teuton-Cimbri and Rome.For the most part, historians and scholars believe that the Teutones were Germanic, a distinct ethnic and cultural group from the Celts. However, there is some debate over this. The name presumably originates from the Proto-Indo-European word tewteh, meaning tribe or people. Early writers labeled them as Celtic, although these Roman chroniclers did not bother to make a distinction between Germanic and Celtic, which only adds to the confusion. It is possible that they were a primarily Germanic tribe, but incorporated Celtic elements and members into their society as they migrated.The Cimbrian WarBronze Relief of a Roman Soldier and a Barbarian, Roman, c. 200 CE. Source: Metropolitan Museum of ArtIn 113 BCE, the Teutones and the Cimbri, along with other Germanic and Celtic tribes such as the Tigurini and the Ambrones, marched into Gaul and attacked the local tribes and clans, some of whom were allied with Rome. In response, the Roman Republic sent the consul Gnaeus Papirius Carbo with an army north to deal with the situation. They wanted a show of force to intimidate the invaders, which initially worked. The Germans gave in to Roman demands, but then Carbo bit off more than he could chew. He attempted to ambush the Teutones and Cimbri, likely a ploy to gain military glory. Enraged by the treachery, the Teutones attacked the Romans, smashing their army, killing tens of thousands in one of the worst disasters in Roman military history. Carbo managed to escape but was placed on trial for his failure and committed suicide rather than face exile and humiliation. With the way open, the Germanic tribes had a clear path to Rome itself.Instead of taking advantage of this situation and marching on Rome, the Teutones and Cimbri turned west and entered Gaul. They continued to roam, gathering tribal groups in the area to their cause, and causing havoc among those who would not submit to them. The Romans sent other armies, but the Teutones and the Cimbri, along with their allied tribes, smashed them as well. Wanting to end the threat, the Romans sent the largest army since they fought Hannibal.In 105 BCE, they met the Germans on the field at the battle of Arausio. Once again, the Teutones and their allies broke the back of the legions sent after them, inflicting one of the greatest defeats in Roman history. After the battle, the tribes split, with the Cimbri marching against Hipania and the Teutones remaining in Gaul. No one knows why they did this, or why they didnt march on the now vulnerable Rome.Triumph of Marius, by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, 1729. Source: Metropolitan Museum of ArtDesperate, the Romans recalled Gaius Marius, a successful military leader and former consul, who was reelected under extraordinary circumstances to take command of the war. He changed recruiting rules to raise a new army to meet the threat. Under Marius leadership, the Roman policy of allowing only landowners to serve in the military was abolished, paving the way for a professional standing army, a hallmark of Roman success in later centuries. With his new army, Marius faced the Teutones at Aquae Sextiae in 102 BCE. He crushed the Germans and captured their king, Teutobod. The next year, the Cimbri were also destroyed, ending their threat once and for all.The Teutons Following DefeatThe Battle of Vercellae, by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, 1725-1729. Source: Metropolitan Museum of ArtAfter the crushing defeat at Aquae Sextiae, the Teutones power was broken. Though some Teutones were taken as slaves and later participated in the Third Servile War, they had no major direct impact on Roman history. The remnants of the Teutones and the Cimbri that remained in Jutland continued to exist, but were eventually absorbed by the Jutes and Saxons centuries later, ending their unique cultural identity. They would have remained a footnote in history, a threat to Rome that was eventually put down, if it were not for a linguistic trick.Though the city of Rome was never directly threatened by the Teutones or the Cimbri, they gave the Roman Republic and later empire nightmares about giant warriors from the north, savage barbarians who were poised to descend on civilization, slaughtering everything in their path. This paranoia played a significant role in Julius Caesars campaign in Gaul, decades after the Cimbrian War, and during the later wars under Emperor Augustus. For the rest of Roman history, these Germani, as they were collectively called, were always on the edge of Roman territory, sometimes acting as adversaries, sometimes allies. Migrations in later centuries caused the Germani to descend on the dying Roman Empire, their actions being a major contributor to the collapse of the Western Roman Empire.Although they were no longer a threat, the Teutones had a disproportionate influence on the Roman psyche. Since the encounter with the tribe, the name Teutones, sometimes rendered as Teutons, became used interchangeably with the word Germani. After Rome fell, the Catholic Church assumed much of the responsibility for maintaining society, and the Churchs language, Latin, became the lingua franca of Europe. By the 8th century or so, Teuton became conflated with the word Theodisc, which was a vernacular group of German languages in the eastern portion of Charlemagnes empire. Over time, Teuton became the medieval Latin word for German, the language and ethnic group, not a political entity.The Middle Ages and Modern DayBronze Seal with Wax Imprint of the Teutonic Order in Ulm, c. 12th century. Source: British MuseumDuring the Crusades, a group of German merchants and knights founded a hospital in Acre in the Holy Land and dedicated the building to the Virgin Mary. In 1198, the group was transformed into a militant Holy Order, organized along the same lines as the Knights Templar. The Germans referred to their order as the Brethren of the German Hospital of Saint Mary. In Latin, this was translated as Fratres Domus hospitalis sanctae Mariae Teutonicorum. Their name was shortened to simply the Teutonic Knights, and they spent the next few centuries campaigning in the Holy Land and later along the Baltic coast, fighting the Churchs enemies. They would establish states in Prussia and Livonia. Through the foundation of the Prussian state, they heavily influenced European history in much later centuries. The Teutonic Knights were related to the original Teutones geographically, as both were from Germany. Their fame solidified Teuton as a word to describe the Germans in general.Even after the Middle Ages and the dissolution of the Teutonic Knights, the word Teuton continued to be used as a descriptor. In the English Language, the word German was and still is used to describe the ethnic, cultural, and linguistic group from Central Europe, but Teutonic was still used as an adjective to describe qualities and stereotypes of the German people. For example, many writers attribute the stereotypical orderliness of German culture to their Teutonic nature. This is often done as a pejorative and was commonly used in propaganda during the World Wars. Ironically, these Teutonic traits, such as orderliness, discipline, and respect for authority, were rarely associated with the actual Teutones, a group the Romans had nothing but scorn for.Soviet Propaganda Poster comparing the Nazi war machine to the Teutonic Knights, 1941. Source: Wikimedia CommonsToday, the term has fallen out of favor and is seen as archaic. Still, when there is a need to describe the German lands in an evocative way, Teuton is ready to fill the need. The metal band Accept named a hit song Teutonic Terror, where they fight enemies and give em the axe! The hit strategy game Age of Empires II features many civilizations from across the medieval world. The faction that represents Germany is called the Teutons, with a unique unit of Teutonic Knights being one of the most durable and hard-to-kill in the game. These are just a few ways that the memory of the Teutons survives into the modern age. Not a bad legacy for one of many Germanic tribes on the fringes of the Roman Empire.

Many militant holy orders of knights emerged during the crusades, such as the Knights Templar, who have gained almost mythical status, and the Knights Hospitaller, soldiers known to provide medical care. The Teutonic Knights are another such order, but while their name, Teutonic, has left its mark on history, the knights themselves are surprisingly overlooked. The Teutonic Knights fought not only in the Holy Land but also in northern Europe, and their impact on European history far exceeds their fame.Third Crusade & Beginnings of the OrderPhilip II and Richard I at the Siege of Acre, from Grandes Chroniques de France, 1375-1380. Source: Biblioteque nationale de FranceAround 1190, while Crusaders besieged the city of Acre, a group of German pilgrims, most likely merchants from Bremen and Lubeck, established a field hospital. Some accounts suggest that they used the canvases from their ships as a tent. After the city fell in 1191, a permanent hospital was established in the city to treat Crusaders and pilgrims traveling to and from the Holy Land. For protection, a number of knights were assigned to guard the hospital. Over time, their efforts became increasingly militant.Taking inspiration from the other knightly orders, they were organized along the same lines as the Templars and Hospitallers. Like these other orders, they also gained papal recognition and received land grants in both the Holy Land and Germany, their primary recruiting grounds. In 1205, they would be allowed to wear their distinctive colors, a black cross on a white background. The order was given the name Fratres Domus hospitalis sanctae Mariae Teutonicorum, or Brethren of the German Hospital of St. Mary. This name was somewhat lengthy and unwieldy, and is often abbreviated to the Teutonic Knights.Organization of the OrderSword from the Crusade era, c. 12th century. Source: Metropolitan Museum of ArtThe Teutonic Knights were organized along similar lines to other militant holy orders. The knights were monks and took vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience. They were ruled over by the Hochmeister, or Grand Master, who oversaw administrative provinces, each one led by a Landmeister. These lands were arranged into castles and fortress-monasteries, each with its own leadership.The Teutonic Knights were primarily a cavalry force, with the full brothers and halb-bruders or half brothers, distinguished by their grey instead of white surcoats, fighting on horseback. Members were usually nobility, but the order also employed commoners as infantry or crossbowmen. There were foreigners who joined the order, but the vast majority of the Teutonic Knights were from the German-speaking lands in central Europe.The number of the Teutonic Knights was always small. At their height, there were fewer than 1,300 full brothers, so they were forced to hire mercenaries due to manpower shortages.Battle of Lake Peipus, by Mariusz Kozik, box art for FireForge Games. Source: Art StationWith their role as protectors, the Teutonic Knights operated several castles and strongholds around the Acre, the largest remaining stronghold in the Holy Land after the fall of Jerusalem. They were also granted land in Cilicia, now southeastern Turkey. They spent most of their time in the Middle East defending pilgrims, although this would come to an abrupt end in 1291 when the last Crusader stronghold, Acre, fell, effectively ending the principal purpose of the order.Their fellow militant order, the Hospitallers, turned their attention to the west, continuing to defend Europe from Islamic expansion into the Mediterranean. The Teutonic Knight took a different path, heading to Europe. It was there that they would make their mark on history.The Teutonic Knights Create PrussiaMap of the Teutonic Orders territorial holdings, c. 1300. Source: Wikimedia CommonsEven when the Teutonic Knights were fighting in the Holy Land, they also had a presence in Europe. Their first European campaign was against the Cumans, a nomadic Steppe culture that was a threat to Hungary. The order was given lands on the Hungarian frontier as a bulwark. This relationship was strained as the knights made excessive demands for land and other privileges. The Teutonic knights were expelled from Hungarian territory in 1225.For the rest of the century, they were granted other lands in Germany and established themselves within the Holy Roman Empire. As early as 1223, they began their conquests in what is now northeastern Germany and northern Poland. They spent the next 50 years wresting control of the region from the local population.The Teutonic Knights spent the remainder of their history battling in northern and eastern Europe, with their primary enemies being the Slavic peoples who inhabited the region. The following centuries were a tangled web of alliances, treaties, battles, betrayals, and political maneuverings, with the Teutonic Knights right at the center of the chaos. The main objective of the Teutonic Knights was to bring the Baltic coast under the control of the Catholic Church and the Holy Roman Empire. To make matters even more confusing, both the Holy Roman Emperor and the Pope, nominally allied with one another, often bickered. The Teutonic Knights generally supported the emperor, despite being a militant holy order directly answerable to the papacy.Fredrick II allows the order to invade Prussia (1236), by Peter Janssen, c. 1844-1908. Source: Wikimedia CommonsThe Teutonic Knights, and later a splinter order, the Livonian Brotherhood of the Sword, established themselves as the feudal overlords along the Baltic coast, acquiring the territory through conquest and land purchases. This expansion put them into conflict with the local Slavic populations in Poland, Lithuania, and what would later become Russia. Invading these lands, the Teutonic Knights drove out the inhabitants and then resettled the region with German-speaking settlers. After numerous campaigns, the Teutonic Knights successfully established the Ordnungstaadt, or Order State, along the Baltic Coast.Teutonic Campaigns and CastlesBronze Seal with Wax Imprint of the Teutonic Order in Ulm, c. 12th century. Source: British MuseumOf course, the local Slavs didnt just roll over in the face of the German juggernaut. In 1242, Novgorod, under the leadership of Alexander Nevsky, defeated the Teutonic Knights and their allies at the Battle of Lake Peipus, also known as the battle on the ice. As the name suggests, part of the battle was fought on a frozen lake. With this defeat, the Teutonic Knights redoubled their efforts to control Prussia and the Baltic coast.This put them at odds with two other Slavic groups. The first was the Poles, a predominantly Catholic nation, with the Polish Church owing allegiance directly to the Pope. Surprisingly, this only made them a greater target with the Teutonic Knights due to their support for the Holy Roman Emperor.The other Slavic group was the Lithuanians. Unlike the rest of Europe, which had converted to Christianity, either Catholic or Orthodox, Lithuania would not convert to Christianity until 1386, still maintaining its pagan traditions. Converting or fighting the heathens was more than enough reason for the Teutonic Knights to fight, and they won major territories in Pomerania and parts of Estonia in the 14th century. Even after Lithuania converted, the wars continued. The Teutonic Knights continued encroaching on Lithuanian territory. Rebellions of conquered lands were common, and the knights spent much of the 14th and 15th centuries putting them down.Malbork Castle, Poland. Source: Wikimedia CommonsLike other feudal overlords during the medieval era, the Teutonic Knights built castles as strongholds to control their territories. Many Teutonic castles still stand across northern and eastern Europe. The largest is Malbork Castle in Poland. Construction began in 1274 after the lands were taken from the local pagan inhabitants, and the headquarters of the order was moved here in 1309. It expanded over the centuries, reaching its current form in the early 15th century. As it was the headquarters of a large monastic order and the de facto capital of the Ordnungstaadt, it is appropriately grand, covering 52 acres and consisting of three separate castles inside the complex. Three and a half million bricks were used in the construction, making it the largest brick building in Europe. Other castles may not have the same scale, but were still a vital part of the orders control over Prussia.Legacy of the Teutonic KnightsAfter the Battle of Grunwald, by Alphonse Mucha, 1924. Source: National Gallery PragueAs the centuries passed, the Teutonic Knights began to lose their power and influence. In 1410, they suffered their greatest defeat at the Battle of Grunwald, also known as the Battle of Tannenberg. A coalition of Poland and Lithuania, as well as some troops from Smolensk and Steppe horse archers. During the intense fighting, the grand master was killed along with a large number of the orders best knights. Their defeat stopped the expansion of the Order, which was forced on the defensive. In 1457, they were forced to abandon control of Malbork and relocate to Koningsburg. From there, the order continued to diminish in strength and holdings. By the mid-16th century, the Teutonic order was a shadow of its former self. Nevertheless, it continued on with some minor holdings until these were dissolved in 1809 by Napoleon.The Teutonic Knights had a lasting impact on history. Their campaigns helped spread Christianity to the last pagan holdouts in Europe. Their trade networks and political organization brought the regions under the cultural and political sphere of Europe, and laid the foundations for later states to rise in that part of the continent. In response to Teutonic encroachment, the state of Poland-Lithuania was created, one of the largest and most influential nations in Eastern European history. The religion, culture, and statecraft of the Baltic coast owe much to the presence of the Teutonic Knights. They were also seen in a negative light as outsiders who invaded Slavic lands without provocation.Teutonic Knights in the film Alexander Nevsky, 1938. Source: Internet Movie DatabaseBoth the battle on the Ice and the Battle of Grunwald are still seen as great victories in Eastern Europe against the West. During the Soviet era, the film Alexander Nevsky was immensely popular. It depicted the Teutonic Knights as bloodthirsty barbarians, and many wore modern German stahlhelms, connecting them to the Nazi regime. After Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941, the film was shown regularly. This and other propaganda pieces suggested that the current struggle was a continuation of the medieval conflicts. Today, the Teutonic Knights are often overshadowed by other knightly orders, such as the Templars; their once-proud and influential history is unfortunately overlooked. They still exist as a Catholic charitable order, more concerned with helping the needy than cleaving skulls, which was ironically closer to their original

From a certain perspective, the history of Europe is intrinsically linked to the history of the sword, the evolution of which tells the story of European warfare through the ages.From the Bronze Age through Antiquity, to the Medieval Era, and even into the 20th century, swords have played a major part in shaping the history of the war-torn continent of Europe. As technology evolved, so did warfare, and with it, the sword.This is the story of the evolution of swords in Europe.European Swords in the Ancient EraA depiction of a Greek (right) hoplite and a Persian warrior. The Greek is holding a kopis. Source: Wikimedia CommonsWhile spears have been a common feature in warfare for many millennia, swords started appearing in Europe around 1600 BCE. These swords, typically made of bronze, were generally leaf-shaped, and lent themselves to slashing and thrusting. There were, however, many shapes in sword design, with different lengths and blade shapes.Being made of bronze, an alloy of mainly copper and tin, these weapons were cast rather than forged. The advent of the iron age around 1200 BCE signified a change in warfare as iron swords began to replace bronze swords over the course of several hundred years.In Greece, two designs stood out. The xiphos was a leaf-shaped blade that has become an archetypal image in depicting ancient Greek warriors, while the kopis was a forward-curving (or recurved) blade that was designed for slashing, thrusting, and drawing cuts. The kopis was heavier toward the tip of the blade, meaning that there was more force behind the hacking motion, similar in concept to an axe. In the Iberian peninsula a regional variant of the kopis, the falcata, was popular, and it found use in the Carthaginian army as well.(Left) Gladius Hispaniensis remains, 3rd-1st centuries BCE; (Right) Reproduction of a Roman gladius. Sources: Wikimedia CommonsJust as the xiphos and the kopis were stereotypically linked to the Greeks, the gladius was an iconic part of the Roman legions. Originally copied from the Iberians, this sword was adept at both thrusting and slashing, but the key to its effectiveness was the fact that it was short. Standard issue to the Roman legions was the semi-cylindrical shield, the scutum, which offered excellent protection, especially as the legionaries fought in tight formations. These tight formations, while extremely effective, offered limited ability for large weapons to be used. The short-bladed gladius was the perfect accompaniment.A reproduction of a Late Roman (4th century) spatha, made by Deepeeka, India. Source: Wikimedia CommonsLooser formations, and those who used guerilla tactics in warfare, were able to wield much longer swords. The Roman auxiliaries, drawn from various parts of the empire, fought with their own styles, and with longer blades. And as the Romans relied more on auxiliaries to meet its military needs, the gladius became less common. However, from the gladius evolved the spatha which had a much longer blade. The reach afforded by these weapons was better suited in dealing with enemies who also had longer weapons. In addition, the increasing usage of cavalry facilitated the need for longer blades.An interesting fact about the Roman spatha is that while the infantry versions tapered to a sharp point, the cavalry versions had a rounded tip to protect the rider from accidentally stabbing his foot, or his horse.Swords in the Dark AgesViking swords ca. 800 to 1000 CE. Source: Museum of Cultural History of the University of Oslo (UiO Kulturhistorisk Museum)/WolfmannFor much of Europe, the fall of Rome ushered in a time of turbulent change. The period, known as the Dark Ages, was an era of fractured polities, and shifting power struggles. The safety that the Roman Empire offered was gone, and seizing opportunities often meant doing so at spearpoint. Thus, warriors became a vital part of society. The sword was a status symbol, denoting wealth and power, as much as it denoted martial prowess.Europe then, as much as it is now, was not a single place with a homogeneous culture. The swords from this era reflect this reality, and differ greatly in their design. Of great influence, however, was the Roman spatha, and derivatives of this sword appeared across Europe.Germanic peoples adapted the spatha and created ring-swords which were basically spathae with a ring attached to the hilt. Originating from the Merovingian Franks, the Merovingian sword was a direct descendent of the Roman spatha. It had a more well-developed cross-guard, and a grip that evolved over time to become longer to accommodate use as an off-hand weapon.Directly evolving from the Merovingian sword was the Carolingian sword, also known as the Viking sword, although the origin of the sword design lies with the Franks. These swords were prized by the Vikings and many found their way into Viking hands, and Viking graves. So popular was this design, that these swords were found as far away as present-day Kazan in Tatarstan, Russia. From around the 8th century, Frankish smiths sourced high quality steel from Central Asia and produced incredibly well-crafted Carolingian swords that were highly-prized as status symbols. Soldiers at the time, however, were far more likely to be outfitted with spears, lances, and axes.The Development of Swords During the Medieval EraA replica by Albion Swords of the 13th-century Sword of Saint Maurice of Turin. Source: Wikimedia CommonsNorman swords, whose design was derived from the Viking swords, were improvements on their forerunners, and were made with better forging techniques. Impressive as the Norman swords were, they represented a transitional phase of sword design between the Carolingian/Viking swords, and the knightly sword or arming sword that became a popular sight across Europe.With a straight, double-edged blade typically around 28 to 31 inches in length, these swords were symbols of chivalry and status. With their cruciform hilt, they also resembled the cross, and thus Christianity. They saw widespread use by crusaders in the Holy Land. Swords that could be classified as knightly swords were in use from after 1000 CE to around 1500 CE.A falchion from around 1300. Source: Rothenburg Museum / Wolfgang SauberAround this time, a sword called the falchion also saw heavy use. Likely originating in the Northern Italy/Southern France region, these swords came in a variety of shapes, but generally had a slight curve. They were single edged weapons designed for hacking and were popular amongst the common soldiery and the lesser nobility.As effective as these swords were, the evolution of armor demanded the evolution of blades as well. Armor quality improved, and covered more of the soldiers body. In the case of knights and other nobility, full plate covered the entire body. As such, swords designed for hacking and slashing gave way to swords that were designed to find and pierce through the weaker gaps between the major pieces of armor, such as in the armpits, the back of the knees, the neck, or the slits in the helm.From the knightly sword, the longsword (also called a bastard sword or a hand-and-a-half sword) evolved. It was longer and more tapered, and was designed to be used by either one or two hands. It saw much use during the Late Medieval and early Renaissance periods.Swords During the Renaissance and Early Modern PeriodA German rapier. Source: Metropolitan Museum of ArtThe 16th century saw the development of one of the most effective sword designs in the form of the rapier. The evolution of this long, thrusting blade began in the mid 16th century from the spada da lato (Italian) or side-sword which had, in turn, evolved from the knightly sword or arming sword.The side-sword featured a more intricate hilt with features that facilitated different techniques in handling the weapon, as well as for aesthetic reasons to show off the makers skill and the owners prestige. These features continued to evolve on rapiers, and became increasingly elaborate.Rapiers were popular as civilian weapons, but versions with thicker blades were also present and effective on the battlefields.A Zweihnder. These swords ranged in length from 4.7 to 7 feet. This particular example has an undulating blade and may be referred to as a flamberge, although this term is rather malleable. Source: Walters Art MuseumIn another trend of increasing size and weight, Medieval longswords evolved into Zweihnders or two-handers, which were ominously large blades generally wielded by German mercenary troops known as the Landsknechte. Despite their size, Zweihnders had well-distributed weight, and were surprisingly nimble weapons.Many other heavy swords also evolved for two-handed use. Claymores, for example, evolved from the longsword, and were adapted to the needs of the warriors in the Highlands of Scotland. They first made an appearance in the late 13th century, and the last documented case of their use in battle was at the Battle of Killiecrankie in 1689.18th, 19th, and 20th Century SwordsA British officers 1796 pattern sabre made by J. Johnston, Sword Cutlers of 8 Newcastle Street, The Strand, London. Source: Wikimedia CommonsOver the 17th century, the rapier evolved into the shorter and lighter smallsword, which was the precursor to modern fencing weapons. And while these weapons found use amongst civilian populations, on the battlefields, musketry replaced bladed weapons for soldiers on foot. The need for blades was fulfilled by the bayonet.On horseback, however, swords found continued use in the form of sabers. These curved blades were influenced by the Hungarian szabla and the Polish karabela which were, in-turn, influenced by the curved blades used by the Turkic people.A ceremonial saber from the United States Marine Corps. Source: Greg BeyerSingle edged, with curved blades, and with significant hand guards, these weapons were perfect for cavalry use and were designed for slashing and thrusting while on horseback. As guns became more effective, however, swords became more obsolete, and by the First World War there was very little call for them.In 1915, the British produced their last cavalry sword. The Pattern 1908 British Cavalry Sword was purely designed for thrusting, and represents the culmination of sword evolution. It is often described as being the most effective cavalry sword ever produced.Sabers, however, are still used in ceremonial contexts in some armies, such as in color parades and as gifts to officers.A re-enactor and his sword. Source: Anastasia Lashkevich / PexelsWhile swords may have disappeared from the real battlefields, there is still a great demand for swords of European designs. Enthusiasts from all over the world create and display swords for decorative purposes, use (blunted) variations on re-enactment battlefields, and wield swords in sport fencing. As such, its still possible to see many of the classic European swords in action!

3 Simple Ways to Embrace a Cozy ‘Little Women’ Winter at Home We’ve had Farm Girl Summer, cottagecore, and slow girl autumn, but now it’s time to trade straw hats for shawls—Little Women Winter has arrived. Imagine curling up like Jo March with a well-worn novel by the fire, sipping cocoa as the March sisters’ holiday rituals come to life around you. This aesthetic is a nod to Louisa May...

  The increasing digitalization of businesses has brought email to the forefront of organizational communication, and this transformation is driving significant Cloud E-mail Security Market growth. As cybercriminals adopt more sophisticated attack techniques such as phishing, malware injection, and business email compromise (BEC), enterprises are investing heavily in robust cloud-based...

  The Event App Market forecasts reveal an industry poised for sustained expansion, driven by innovation, technology adoption, and global digitalization trends. Event apps have become a necessity for modern event management, offering seamless communication, analytics, and real-time engagement. Their rapid evolution has made them integral to the success of conferences, exhibitions, and...

It's all over in the Senate, at least. The cave on Chuck Schumer's stupid and pointless gesture has come to its predictable conclusion.The vote for final passage, which only required a simple majority,

A bloody fight broke out at at TPUSA event at US Berkeley after Antifa terrorists crashed the gathering on Monday night. Antifa terrorists and other far-left protestors turned the TPUSA event into a war

The government shutdown is another step closer to coming to an end after the Senate voted in favor of a bill to fund the government. The Senate passed a measure that would fund the entire government through