Skimitar , also a simitar and a scimitar ( eng. and dumb. scimitar [ ˈ s ɪ m ɪ t ə ], fr. cimeterre , ital. scimitarra , sp. and port. cimitarra ) is a generalized European term for various eastern sabers (Middle Eastern, North African, Central Asian), largely obsolete. Apparently comes from the Persian shamshir , in Europe the term “scimitar” has been known since at least the 15th century. It was mainly applied (and sometimes applied today) to the following types of blade weapons:
- Shamshir ( Persia )
- Chilij ( Turkey and Egypt )
- Nimcha ( Morocco )
- Bulvar ( Afghanistan )
- Talwar ( India )
can also be used in relation to such a type of weapon that does not have a European analogue such as:
- Shotel (Ethiopia)
In Fiction
Scimitars are the favorite weapon of the dark elf Drizzt Do'urden , a character in the Dark Elf series of novels by Robert Salvatore .
The scimitars are armed with orcs in the Tolkien legendarium [1] .
Notes
- ↑ Two Towers , Ch. 1