The Kopis (from the Greek for ‘to cut’) was the preferred cutting sword of Greek warriors from the 5th century BC onward, offering an alternative to the double-edged Xiphos for situations where a powerful cutting stroke was needed. Alexander the Great’s Macedonian cavalry favoured the Kopis and its close relative the Machaira for the devastating mounted charges that won the battles of Granicus, Issus and Gaugamela.
The Korfu Kopis is based on a 320 BC original associated with finds from Greece and now held at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens — one of the finest surviving examples of the form. Its forward-curving blade is both classical and elegant in profile, shifting mass toward the tip to increase chopping force while a raised midrib along the spine provides structural rigidity.
Despite the elongated and widened tip, the blade is carefully balanced so it remains lively and agile in the hand — the grip fashioned to maximise contact with the palm and fingers, reducing fatigue and allowing the full power of arm and forearm to drive the cut. The C60 high carbon steel blade with tempered hardness captures the essential character of the ancient original. A significant piece for Greek history enthusiasts, ancient world re-enactors and collectors of classical antiquity.
