As I understand it, the transition to the Iron Age was largely a result of a shortage of tin (e.g. coming from Britain for the western part of the Mediterranean region).  Iron weapons at the time weren&#x27;t better, just more available, and no doubt steadily more as this small scale industry developed.  But if you could afford it, you had a bronze sword, which is a pattern I noted a very long time ago WRT Roman legions.