Bronze swords from ancient civilizations are often depicted as short in comparison to later iron or steel swords. There are several reasons for this characteristic shortness:

1. Material Limitations: Bronze, an alloy primarily composed of copper, is softer and less durable than iron or steel. To compensate for the inherent weaknesses of bronze, swordsmiths of ancient civilizations often made shorter swords to achieve a more manageable size and reduce the risk of the blade bending or breaking during combat.
2. Casting Techniques: The early techniques used to create bronze swords involved casting the molten metal into molds. These casting methods often had limitations in terms of size and complexity. Casting larger and longer blades would have been more challenging, so shorter swords were more practical to produce using available techniques.
3. Combat Style: The shorter length of bronze swords was suited to the close-quarters combat prevalent in ancient warfare. Battles of that time involved shield walls, tight formations, and hand-to-hand combat. Shorter swords provided better maneuverability and control in such situations.
4. Evolutionary Transition: The shift from longer bronze swords to longer iron or steel swords occurred as metallurgical advancements were made. Iron and steel provided superior strength, hardness, and durability compared to bronze, allowing for longer blades to be forged without compromising their structural integrity.

It's important to note that there is variation in the length of bronze swords across different cultures and time periods. While they are generally shorter than later swords, there were longer bronze swords as well, such as the ancient Egyptian khopesh or some Celtic swords. However, the shorter length of many bronze swords was a result of the material's limitations, casting techniques, combat requirements, and the technological advancements that came with the transition to iron and steel.