Middle Babylonian sword
- Gallery: Room 55
- Culture: Middle Babylonian
- Date: 11thC BC
- Object type: sword
- Materials: copper alloy
- Museum number: 123061
- Museum: The British Museum
- Collection record: British Museum website
- Image © The Trustees of the British Museum, shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence.
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About this object
Before you is a double-edged bronze dagger or short sword from the Middle Babylonian period. This finely made weapon dates from the 11th century BC and features a cuneiform inscription on both sides of the blade immediately below the hilt junction.
The hilt widens smoothly from the pommel to the guard and ends in two deep concavities, likely once inlaid with wood and secured with wire. The blade is engraved with lines stating, “Property of Marduk-nadin-ahhe, king of the world, king of Babylon, king of Sumer and Akkad.” This royal name places the artifact within a historical period tied to Mesopotamian rule.
This type of sword was used for close combat, with a design suited for stabbing and ripping. Though not recovered from a confirmed archaeological site, scholars suggest it was likely placed in a grave or used by a Babylonian officer based on its inscription and location.
The piece reflects the craftsmanship and cultural identity of the era, offering a rare glimpse into military or royal life nearly 3,000 years ago.
See it in person
Middle Babylonian sword is on display in Room 55 at the British Museum on Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London — free to enter. Choose British Museum on audioguide.london and take a photo of it to hear this free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
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