Mikko Rintasaari wrote:
>
> On Wed, 5 Jul 2000, Henrix wrote:
>
> <snip: a really good post>
> > Bronze in the real world is the name not for one alloy, but for a whole group
> > of copper based alloys, with various different other components, the most
> > common being tin, with perhaps lead as a good second (red bronze), zink or even
> > arsenic. I doubt this is the case in Glorantha, though.
>
> I have a silverbronze arrowhead, that a local historical reenactment
> group has made. Silverbronze is really hard, and would work nicely for
> arrowheads and daggerblades.
>
> -Adept
Not really, IMHO. Its silver, and in ancient times, the second most valuable metal out there. I don't really see it being used for weapons, especially not on a casual, cultural basis.
Remember, in most cultures, a silver coin was more than enough food for a day. The alloy you are talking about is about 10% by weight of silver (looked it up in Die Re Metallica -- a very GOOD old book!) which is, probably about .8 pounds of *pure* silver. And 25,000 sesterces = 1 talent = 25kg = 55lbs. 25,000x.8/55= 360 sesterces (except that Roman silver coinage was rather adulterated, call it 4500 sesterces -- you could buy a good slave for 2000 sesterces)
Sorry, I'm being a math weenie =(
Alloys are a good thing to have but the problem has always been either getting the alloying material (bronze, silver-bronze) or having someone skilled enough to actually DO the work (steeling) -- a problem we have to this day. That's why Tin was so precious historically -- it was essential for bronzemaking (source of most non-millitary tools) and was only really found in 2 places in abuncance: Eastern Spain and Cornwall.
In Glorantha, Silver is quite precious but bronze exists naturally. Hmmm.
But I'm being silly.
Jeff
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