A Persian sword, whence Horace speaks of the Medus acinaces. The acinaces was a short and straight weapon; and thus differed from the Roman sica, which was curved. It was worn on the right side of the body, whereas the Greeks and Romans usually had their swords suspended on the left side. The form of the acinaces, with the mode of wearing it, is illustrated by the by the following Persepolitan figures. - Smith, 1873