an egyptian fresco, dated to 3400 bc, and depicting military training at beni hassan is the world's oldest known artistic representation of an organised fighting system. in gymnasiums similar to those of greece, recruits would practice wrestling, callisthenics and duelling with single-stick. the attacking weapon apparently had a basket-guard protecting the hand, while the left forearm had a splint strapped on to serve as a shield. soldiers fought with spears, large shields with an eye-hole, clubs, axes, poleaxes, flails, bows, slings, and swords of various forms.