Damascus in the 9th century AD. was famous for her swords.

The best blades for sharp weapons were made there. And apart from their durability, they were also known for their looks.

The result was achieved by specific forging where thin bars of steel were melted with carbon and cooled at a very slow rate.

This made them much more durable than Western weapons.

The demand for this particular steel remained high for several centuries.

[Source: http://www.bigthink.com]