Five-Weapons combat complex
The Five-Weapons combat complex of the Early Iron Age was now made mostly of iron. Almost twice as much a temperature is required to melt iron, compared to bronze technology, about 1500°C. Because of that, the ancient metallurgists invented a new technology – forging, instead of previously used casting. The use of forged iron has many advantages. Although a hard enough metal, bronze is brittle. Iron is more durable because it is malleable, plus it could be tempered. Thanks to this new technology, blacksmiths could now make previously non-existent weapons, such as long-bladed swords.