These numbered two thousand men, half of whom carried gold weapons while the other half had silver ones. Islamic weaponry is best characterized by the fact that everything, from daggers to axes to armour, is decorated to some degree. More oftan than not this decoration was quite exquisite, capable of putting to shame the finest pieces of weaponry of contemporary Europe. Rather, every weapon we look at seems to be in perfect harmony with its decoration. As one shall see, the techniques of decoration are extremely varied.
Most weapons contain gold or silver inlays, with hilts of jade or ivory.
A majority of the weapons also included some sort of calligraphy or writing. These were most often Koranic quotes referring to either divine protection or courage. Perhaps the most striking exhibit of weaponry was witnessed in the review of the troops by the ruler. This ceremony dated back to the Sassanians, who were a great military power themselves, and had become a staple feature of military life in the Muslim world. While its main purposes were to register the troops, review their skills, and inspect their weapons, the reviews often turned into 'arms exhibitions'.