Persian Composite Bow
Item Achaemenid

Persian Composite Bow

The Persian Composite Bow was one of the most sophisticated and powerful weapons of the ancient world. It was a recurve bow constructed from multiple materials laminated together, typically consisting of a wooden core, horn on the belly (facing the archer), and sinew on the back. The distinctive design featured strongly curved limbs that turned away from the archer at the tips, creating the characteristic 'C' shape when unstrung. When strung, the bow took on its famous double-curved shape that became emblematic of Persian military might. These bows were typically between 100-120 cm in length when strung, making them shorter than many contemporary straight bows while delivering superior power.

Articles

Provenance Trail

Discovery location: Persian archaeological sites
Current location: Military Museum of Tehran
Article

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