Other pole arms are developments of the axe. Military axes (Fig. 34 [1], [2]) had handles somewhat shorter than those of pikes, spears or partisans but longer than the short-handled axes used on horseback. They were particularly popular for use in judicial combats or “trial by battle”. Each contestant in a law suit would swear to the truth of his claim, and call upon God to prove its truth. The two men, armed with such axes, would fight until one was killed or driven out of the ring. The victor was thus proven to have told the truth, while the unsuccessful contestant, if still alive, was executed for perjury. Such axes, capable of defending the right, were made with special care, and were highly valued by their surviving owners. [Illustration: _Fig. 34. Axe-type pole arms, XV-XVII centuries. The earlier ones, at the left, were used in judicial duels, the later, at the right, were held by warders of the doors of princes._] Axes with longer shafts were known as _halberds_, and were usually provided with a sharpened hook at the back of the axe blade to permit a man on foot to catch and cut the bridle rein of an attacking horseman. Like the partisans, halberds developed from plain functional military types, (Fig. 34 [3], [4]) of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries respectively to highly decorated types carried as badges of authority by the state guards of Christian II of Saxony (Fig. 34 [5]) and of the Princes of Liechtenstein (Fig. 34 [6]) respectively. MIDDLE EASTERN EDGED WEAPONS The chief characteristic of the blades of the Middle East is the beautiful watered pattern of the Damascus steel, discussed on page 20. Unfortunately this pattern is too delicate to show well in reproduction, but it may readily be observed in the actual objects, exhibited in the gallery of Middle Eastern Art. Two knives are shown in Fig. 35, illustrating delicate Damascene work in gold and similar ornament carried out not by inlay of another metal, but by chiselling in low relief. [Illustration: _Fig. 35. Persian dagger-knives of the seventeenth century, equally useful as tool and as weapon, and beautiful too!_] Fig. 36 shows a Persian sword hilt of solid gold, from the late thirteenth or fourteenth century. The ends of its guard are formed as the heads of lions. It is engraved with floral arabesques and a calligraphic inscription. The engraved lines are filled in with black pigment (_niello_). [Illustration: _Fig. 36. A Persian sword hilt of solid gold, XIII-XIV century, inscribed: “Salute to Mohammed”._] PROJECTILE WEAPONS: BOWS AND CROSSBOWS