Trident

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Trident
Trident, Burmese, 18th century.JPG
Information
Weapon type: Polearm
Designations: Trident, Fuscina tridens, Trishula
Use: War weapon, hunting weapon
Working time: until now
Distribution: worldwide
Overall length: about 200 cm, variable
Blade length: about 20 cm, variable
Handle: Wood, leather, metal,
Particularities: still in use today as a fishing tool
Lists on the subject

The trident ( ancient Greek Thrinakíe , Latin fuscina tridens , English trident ) is an ancient stabbing weapon that is used for attack and defense. The trident is also used as a hunting weapon.

description

The trident usually consists of a fork-shaped tip with three cutting edges (weapon) or sharp barbs (hunting weapon) of different lengths. The trident itself is attached to a wooden stick with the help of a spout . In some versions this rod is also curved.

history

In the Roman Empire, the trident was the weapon of the retiariers (net fighter), a special gladiator . The trident consists of a shaft that ends in three powerful, straight, often barbed prongs. In the first gladiator fights in 264 BC The trident (fuscina tridens) was used as a weapon of the gladiator class " Retiarius " (a short sword could also be chosen as a weapon). The retiarius used a safety net (reticulum) as a second weapon . In the 17th century the trident was described as a war sickle (see war scythe ). Sometimes war forks with three prongs were also used . The trident was also used as a weapon in other cultures, such as Burma , Indonesia , India , Korea and Iran (see gallery).

mythology

In Greek mythology, the trident is the scepter and weapon of the sea god Poseidon (also of Triton ). Poseidon is called Neptune in the Roman world . In Hinduism the trident ( trishula ) is an attribute of the main god Shiva , and it is also worn by some Indian goddesses such as Durga or Mariyamman .

In Christianity the trident is a symbol of the devil .

Fishing and hunting

The trident is still used today as a hunting weapon for fishing among the Eskimos . The eel fork is a historical trident that was used for fishing in Europe. Sponge divers in the Mediterranean also used a trident. Modern harpoons that are used to fish while diving often have a steel trident. The original materials are horn, ivory or bone. Barbs are only useful in fishing or hunting, as they are used to hold the prey. In close combat , this is more of an undesirable effect.

Illustrations

  • Poseidon with trident

  • hindu god Shiva with his trishula

  • hindu goddess Mariyamman with trishula

  • Trishula in India as an offering

  • Trishula as a Buddhist symbol

  • Indonesian trishula

  • Iranian trident weapon (19th century)

  • Korean warrior with trident (around 1790)

  • chinese trident as a martial arts weapon

  • Gardian with trident in the Camargue

  • Logo of the sports car manufacturer Maserati

See also

literature

  • Auguste Demmin: The historical development of the weapons of war from the earliest times to the present: an encyclopedia of weapons science. P. Friesehahn, Leipzig 1893 (4th edition), DNB-Info .

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ August Demmin: The weapons of war and their historical development. Page 251, Figure 18.IV
  2. ↑ August Demmin: The weapons of war and their historical development. Pages 800–801, illustration no.7
  3. ↑ Aalgabel, Grammatical-Critical Dictionary of High German Dialect, Volume 1. Leipzig 1793, page 4
  4. ↑ Trident and history of sponge divers ( Memento from March 25, 2010 in the Internet Archive )

Web links

Commons : Trident  - collection of images, videos and audio files
Wiktionary: Dreizack  - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations