[calex59]

Their crystal-pummelled

Sorry to nit pick but shouldn't that be pommeled or are we to think someone pummeled the swords with crystals.

[BwanaNdege]

Maybe the Persians were throwing quartz rocks at the Romans?

(Good catch, looks like there are a few literate folks among these "knuckle-dragging conservatives", huh! /sarc)

[Ro_Thunder]

Thank you. It bothered me too.

[Ramius]

Sorry to nit pick but shouldn't that be pommeled or are we to think someone pummeled the swords with crystals.

I'm not sure, but it's possible that 'pummel' is an expression derived from 'pommel', and that to be "pummeled" is to be stricken with the pommel.