As for the longswords, I'd hazard a guess EB just goes by the assumption that the actual units using them are made up of people who can and will get good swords, not that bendy crap junior warriors might buy to show off (early "Rolex knock-off" phenomenom). After all, all the longsword users are either members of dedicated warrior classes (eg. the Celts), prosperous citizen-soldiers or elite guard units (various Greeks and Hellenics, some Sabaeans), or outright aristocracies warrior or not plus their personal retainers (steppe types, some Sabaeans, Goidils etc.).

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