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Francisca Throwing Axe

Type Object Region Western Europe Time c. 200–500

The francisca was the iconic throwing battle axe of Frankish warriors from the late Roman Empire to the Merovingian era, with a broad blade, short ha…

Timeline

  1. c. 200–350East of the Rhine · East of the RhineIn the late Roman Empire, Frankish tribes along the Rhine border used short-handled throwing axes in combat; archaeological remains show diverse blade forms with balance designs favorable for rotational throwing.
  2. c. 350–450Northern Gaul · GaulWriters such as Procopius described Frankish warriors each carrying multiple throwing axes, hurling them before contact to strike morale and cause casualties, then engaging in close combat with long swords and shields.
  3. c. 450–500Merovingian Frankish Kingdom · FranksIn Clovis's era the Frankish army still used the francisca as its iconic throwing weapon; large numbers of throwing axes excavated from tombs show forms tending toward standardization.

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