古代兵器泛指装备中国古代军队用于实战的各类兵器,其中包括防护器具。冷兵器则是火药产生之前,用于战争的进攻和防御性武器。冷兵器的产生、发展和衰落,经历了漫长的历史时期。中国古代兵器的发展,以火药开始用于制造兵器为分野,可分成两大阶段。北宋初编著的《武经总要》一书,是明确记载火药兵器的最早史籍,因此北宋正处于前后两大阶段的转折期,在其 Ancient weapons refer to all kinds of weapons used by ancient Chinese armies for actual combat, including protective gear. Cold weapons are the offensive and defensive weapons used in war before the gunpowder was created. The birth, development and decline of the cold weapons have gone through a long period of history. The development of ancient Chinese armaments can be divided into two major stages, starting with the use of gunpowder to manufacture weapons. The book “The Book of Wu Jing Zong Yao” compiled at the beginning of the Northern Song Dynasty is the earliest historical record of clearly documenting gunpowder weapons. Therefore, the Northern Song Dynasty was in the turning point of the two stages before and after.