Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

---

Before the invention of gunpowder, the primary weapon of ancient battlefields was the sword. Used by countless cultures across Europe, Asia, and Africa, and appearing in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, the sword was a devastating close quarters weapon, inspiring awe and fear in those who used them, those who made them, and those who saw them. As a result, the sword has been featured in countless stories as the ideal weapon for heroes such as King Arthur, Sigurd, Beowulf, and Perseus. What's more, the swords of legend are often gifts from supernatural beings, that could bless, or even curse the user!

Support us on Patreon! patreon.com/mythologyunleashed

MYTHOLOGY HAS BEEN TOLD AND RETOLD IN MANY FORMS ACROSS TIME, STORIES AND ACCOUNTS MAY VARY.

MUSIC:
"The Silmarillion"" by Nico L

CLIPS:
"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" (2003)
"Star Wars: A New Hope" (1977)
"The Princess Bride" (1987)
"Conan the Barbarian" (1982)
"Samurai Jack" (2001-2004)
"The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" (1998)
Stock footage of blacksmithing

OPENING:
fiverr.com/saif_edits

ARTISTS FEATURED:
John Howe
Angus McBride
Imad Awan
Dmitry Timoshin
Momal Naeem
MX Anderson
Hao Zheng
Florian Herold
Yamato Takeru
David Noren
Stefan Kopinski
Loreto Diaz
David Benzal
Jarek Nocon
Jason Scheier
Gabriele Mazzarella
John Garrick
Gonzalo Kenny
James Edwin McConnell
William Hatherall

REFERENCES:
thecollector.com/legendary-swords-excalibur
battlemerchant.com/en/blog/legendary-blades-the-most-fascinating-swords-from-myth-and-literature
britannica.com/topic/Excalibur-Arthurian-legend
worldhistory.org/Excalibur
ancient-origins.net/myths-legends/who-pulled-sword-stone-truth-swords-king-arthur-007511
pantheon.org/articles/t/tyrfing.html

If we used your artwork please let us know so we can give proper credit!