In the Greek world, it was the Dorians who taught the neighbouring Aeolians, Achaeans and Ionians the value of using iron to forge weapons. Despite being more brittle and variable in quality than bronze, iron was cheaper and more abundant so rulers could arm large armies of peasants more economically. It was used to make spear and arrow heads, swords and armour. Its versatility and availability made it very popular throughout the ancient world. Moulds were rarely used in the ancient world to create iron weapons. Instead they employed a laborious method of smelting ore at temperatures higher than those needed for copper. The iron was then broken free from the waste slag and shaped during a lengthy process of firing and pounding.
