This magnificent book traces the history of firearms and edged weapons in Greece and the Balkans during the Ottoman era. The early developments of firearms in the later Middle Ages coincided with the Ottoman occupation of these regions, and over the following centuries they became by far the greatest centre of arms manufacturing in the Islamic world. Each town developed its own style in weaponry, decoration and costume, often with spendid results. Traditional weapons were held in great pride, and surviving guns and swords are richly ornamented with silverwork, mother-of-pearl, coral or semi-precious stones. Over 19 chapters, Robert Elgood's masterful text weaves together the story of the weapons with the deeds of their owners and the history of the region. The book culminates in the stirring story of Greek national liberation in the 1820s. To Greeks the weapons used by the heroes of their revolution are quasi-sacred objects: they fill the museums of modern Greece and are highly collectible. Representing a decade of research by a world expert in oriental arms and armour, this book is being published to coincide with a major exhibition of Greek and Balkan arms at the National Historical Museum, Athens.

This magnificent, comprehensively illustrated book traces the history of firearms and edged weapons in the Balkans during the Ottoman era

About the Author
Dr Robert Elgood is Research Fellow in Eastern European, Islamic and Asian Arms and Armour at theWallace Collection, London. He has written widely on related topics, and his book Islamic Arms and Armour (1979) remains the definitive work on the subject.

Reviews
'Fresh and convincing ... will undoubtedly become the standard reference on Balkan weapons' - Military Illustrated
' ... a pioneering study of the subject that will remain the standard reference work long into the future' - The Burlington Magazine



Book Information
ISBN 9780500251577
Author Robert Elgood
Format Hardback
Page Count 352
Imprint Thames & Hudson Ltd
Publisher Thames & Hudson Ltd
Weight(grams) 2510g