Tang Modao Halberd

Timeline

1. c. 590–600Guanzhong military commands · ShaanxiAround the late Sui and early Tang, armies began issuing broad-bladed, long-hafted modao slashing weapons as an infantry tool against cavalry charges. Sources describe them as requiring strong men to wield two-handed or one-handed, used in coordination with shields, bows, and crossbows.
2. c. 600–610Hexi and northern frontiers · GansuIn the early Tang wars of unification and frontier operations, modao were assigned to infantry formations to meet Turkic and other nomadic cavalry charges at the front. Their heavy chopping tactics worked with the fubing infantry-cavalry system, making the modao an iconic Tang infantry weapon.
3. 680–700Regional marching commands · ChinaBy the late seventh century the modao was a standard Tang infantry weapon drilled in the military commands, combined with shields and lances to form anti-cavalry infantry formations.