Spears were one of the most common personal weapons from the late Bronze Age until the advent of firearms. They may be seen as the ancestor of such weapons as the lance, the halberd, the naginata and the pike. One of the earliest weapons fashioned by human beings and their ancestors, it is still used for hunting and fishing, and its influences can still be seen in contemporary military arsenals as the rifle-mounted bayonet. A firearm is a kinetic energy weapon that fires either a single or multiple projectiles propelled at high velocity by the gases produced by action of the rapid confined burning of a propellant. ... The term lance has become a catchall for a variety of different pole weapons based on the spear. ... This article or section cites very few or no references or sources. ... A samurai wielding a naginata Naginata (なぎなた, 薙刀) is a pole weapon that was traditionally used in Japan by members of the samurai class. ... A modern recreation of a mid-17th century company of pikemen. ... For other uses, see Rifle (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see bayonet (disambiguation). ...

Spears can be used as both melee and ballistic weapons. a big Spears used primarily for thrusting tend to have heavier and sturdier designs than those intended exclusively for throwing. Two of the most noted throwing spears are the javelin thrown by the ancient Greeks and the pilum used by the Romans. Javelin (Greek: ακόντιο, Latin: verutum, German: Wurfspeer, French: javelot, Spanish: jabalina, Dutch: werpspeer, Italian: giavellotto, Hindi: bhala) is the name of a light spear designed primarily for casting as a ranged weapon. ... Reconstruction of a post-Marian pilum A Roman coin showing Antoninianus of Carinus holding pilum and globe. ... For other uses, see Roman Empire (disambiguation). ...

History

Spear manufacture and use is also practiced by the Pan troglodytes verus subspecies of the Common Chimpanzee. This is the only known example of animals besides humans crafting and using deadly weapons. Chimpanzees near Kédougou, Senegal were observed to create spears by breaking straight limbs off of trees, stripping them of their bark and side branches, and sharpening one end with their teeth. They then used the weapons to hunt galagos sleeping in hollows.^[1] Binomial name (Blumenbach, 1775) distribution of Common Chimpanzee. ... Kédougou is a town in south eastern Senegal at 12. ... Genera  Otolemur  Euoticus  Galago For the desktop presence framework, see Galago (software). ...

Archeological evidence documents that wooden spears were used for hunting 400,000 years ago. However, wood does not preserve well. Craig Stanford, a primatologist and professor of anthropology at the University of Southern California, has suggested that the discovery of spear use by chimpanzees probably means that early humans used wooden spears as well, perhaps five million years ago.^[2] The Trojan Shrine, better known as Tommy Trojan located in the center of University of Southern California campus. ...

By 250,000 years ago wooden spears were made with fire-hardened points. From 80,000 years ago humans began to make complex stone blades, which were used as spear points. By 50,000 years ago there was a revolution in human culture, leading to more complex hunting techniques.^{[citation needed]}

Usefulness

The utility and longevity of the spear as a universal personal weapon rises from several factors, including versatility, cost efficiency, ease of use and effect.

A spear was a relatively low cost weapon or tool compared to other weapons available in pre-industrial societies. In this period, when metals and the ability to work them were expensive, the spear was seen as "cost effective". The steel required for a sword, for example, would be sufficient to make several spear heads. A spear not only takes less metal, but does not require the same quality of material, the same amount of time, or the same level of skill to manufacture; the result is still a weapon of potentially lethal effect. Pre-industrial society refers to specific social attributes and forms of political and cultural organization that were prevalent before the advent of the Industrial Revolution and the rise of Capitalism. ... Swiss longsword, 15th or 16th century Look up Sword in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

A spear is relatively easy to use. Again, in comparison with other weapons in the periods of the spear's widest use, a spear requires less training and practice to wield effectively (though not necessarily expertly), notably for formation use since its thrusting techniques minimize disruption to teammates on either side. Modern experiments by reenactors have shown that a group of people can be trained to use spears in an effective shield wall as militia in a few weeks of part-time training.

Spears vary greatly in function depending upon the length of the shaft, weight of the point, and location of the grip. Short spears, like those developed by the Zulu, were used for single combat in close proximity. Most short and mid-length spears were also used for throwing; in fact, the Roman pilum was specifically built to stick in and foul a target's shield. Greek long pikes, on the other hand, were used in large battle formations, called phalanges (sg. phalanx), to keep the opponent at a distance. With the rise of heavily armored knights in the medieval age, spear shafts began to be reinforced to be planted against the ground and halt charging cavalry. The lance, a form of spear gripped at the base and wielded with one hand, was also developed to be used from horseback. Though cavalry spears had been used before, the lance was made popular by the medieval sport of jousting.

In addition to being a cheap, relatively easy to wield weapon that could be quickly manufactured and used in large numbers, often at a considerable distance from the target, a spear in experienced hands is fast and lethal.

Spear Handling

Spears, although apparently simple weapons, have a remarkable variety of wielding methods. Some are listed here from most passive to most active motions.

1. Holding the spear or bracing it against the ground, the enemy impales himself.
2. The spear is thrust out with the arms alone.
3. The spear is held stiffly, and the thrust is delivered by stepping forward.
4. The spear is thrust out with the arms while stepping forward with one or both feet.
5. The front hand releases as the back hand and back foot move forward to perform a long thrust.
6. The spear is slid through the front hand, propelled by the back hand. The forward foot steps forward and the back circles the body out of the line of thrust.
7. The spear is thrown, often at a run, releasing when the opposite foot to the throwing arm is forward.
8. The spear is held couched under one arm, allowing a swinging motion as well as a powerful thrust.

This versatility led to the continued use of spears, in the form of pikes, for many years even after the invention of practical firearms. A modern recreation of a mid-17th century company of pikemen. ...

Symbolism

More than a weapon, a spear may be a symbol of power. In the Chinese martial arts community, the Chinese spear (Qiang 槍) is popularly known as the "king of weapons". In ancient Greece it was a yoke of spears that had to be borne when submitting to an enemy. The Celts would symbolically destroy a dead warrior's spear to prevent their use by another. Kung fu redirects here. ... 10th All China Games 10th All China Games Qiang (qÄ«ang,槍) is the Chinese term for spear. ... The term ancient Greece refers to the periods of Greek history in Classical Antiquity, lasting ca. ... Balian of Ibelin surrendering the city of Jerusalem to Saladin, from Les Passages faits Outremer par les Français contre les Turcs et autres Sarrasins et Maures outremarins, ca. ... Celts, normally pronounced //, is a modern term used to describe any of the European peoples who spoke, or speak, a Celtic language. ...

Livy records that the Romans and their early enemies would force prisoners to walk underneath a 'yoke of spears', which humiliated them. It has been surmised that this was because such a ritual involved the prisoners' warrior status being taken away. In the early Roman armies the first two lines of battle, the hastati and principes, fought with swords, while the elite triarii who formed the final line fought with spears. A portrait of Titus Livius made long after his death. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The plural of the Latin word princeps. ... This article is about the sword. ... The Triarii (Latin singular triarius) was the third standard line of infantry of the Roman Republics army. ...

Odin's spear (called Gungnir) was of ashwood, made from the "World-Tree" Yggdrasil, and it may be remarkable that Chiron's wedding-gift to Peleus when he married the nymph Thetis at a wedding attended by all the Olympians, was an ashen spear (although this could be coincidental, as the nature of ashwood with its straight grain made it an ideal choice of wood for a spear). For other meanings of Odin,Woden or Wotan see Odin (disambiguation), Woden (disambiguation), Wotan (disambiguation). ... In Norse mythology, Gungnir (also Gungni, Gungner, or Gungrir) was the name of Odins javelin. ... Species See text European Ash in flower Narrow-leafed Ash (Fraxinus angustifolia) shoot with leaves Closeup of European Ash seeds 19th century illustration of Manna Ash (Fraxinus ornus) An ash can be any of four different tree genera from four very distinct families (see end of page for disambiguation), but... For other uses, see Yggdrasil (disambiguation). ... Chiron and Achilles In Greek mythology, Chiron (hand) — sometimes transliterated Cheiron or rarely Kiron — was held as the superlative centaur among his brethren. ... Peleus consigns Achilles to Chirons care, white-ground lekythos by the Edinburgh Painter, ca. ... This article is about the Greek sea nymph. ...

Also in Greek Mythology Zeus' bolts of lightning can be interpreted as a symbolic spear, and some would carry that into the spear that is frequently associated with Athena, interpreting her spear as a symbolic connection to some of Zeus' power beyond the Aegis. For other uses, see Athena (disambiguation). ...

Another spear of religious significance was the Spear of Destiny, an artifact believed by some to have vast mystical powers. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Holy Lance. ...

Sir James George Frazer in The Golden Bough noted the phallic nature of the spear and suggested that in the Arthurian Legends the spear or lance functioned as a symbol of male fertility, paired with the Grail (as a symbol of female fertility). Sir James George Frazer (January 1, 1854, Glasgow, Scotland – May 7, 1941), was a Scottish social anthropologist influential in the early stages of the modern studies of mythology and comparative religion. ... The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion is a wide-ranging comparative study of mythology and religion, written by Scottish anthropologist Sir James George Frazer (1854–1941). ...

Types of spears

Spears which are not usually thrown

Halberd approximately five feet long. ... A pike is a pole weapon once used extensively by infantry principally as a counter-measure against cavalry assaults. ... This article or section is missing needed references or citation of sources. ... This article needs to be wikified. ... A brandistock (also called buttafuore) was a short type of pole weapon which was used by both infantry and civilians alike between the 16th and 19th centuries. ... Doru (Greek: δόρυ), was a type of spear in general use in the Hellenistic world. ... A fauchard is a type of polearm which was used in mediaeval Europe for the 11th through the 14th centuries. ... Yanyue dao Chinese: Literal meaning: reclining moon blade A guandao or kwandao is a type of Chinese pole weapon that is currently used in some forms of Chinese martial arts. ... This article or section cites very few or no references or sources. ... The half-pike is a short version of the regular Medieval pike used by sailors for close combat on ships. ... Hasta is a Latin word meaning spear. ... The Ji, the Chinese halberd, was used from the Shang dynasty onwards, until the Song dynasty. ... Jousting scene, by Jörg Breu the Elder (1510s, pen and black ink over black chalk) Jousting is a competition between two knights on horse-back, wherein each knight tries to knock the other off his mount. ... The kamayari (鎌槍, sickle spear) is similar to the jumonji yari. ... The kontos was the Greek name for a type of lance used by Sarmatian cavalry. ... The term lance has become a catchall for a variety of different pole weapons based on the spear. ... several yari, including one hafted with a simple crossbar straight yari head with saya Jumonji yari head use of yari in mock combat Yari (槍) is the Japanese term for spear, or more specifically, the straight-headed spear. ... A military fork is a pole weapon which was used in war in Europe between the 15th and 19th centuries. ... A partisan (also partizan) is a type of polearm that was used in Europe during medieval times. ... A modern recreation of a mid-17th century company of pikemen. ... Plançon a picot, or planson, is a type of a Medieval infantry weapon designed for smashing and thrusting. ... 10th All China Games 10th All China Games Qiang (qÄ«ang,槍) is the Chinese term for spear. ... A ranseur(also called a runka or a rawcon) was a type of polearm used across Europe up to the 15th century. ... For other uses, see bayonet (disambiguation). ... For the Bronze Age Hittite city, go to Kusakli. ... Sibat is a Filipino spear, used as a weapon or tool by natives of the Philippine islands. ... A spetum was a pole weapon of Europe during the 13th century. ... A Spontoon is type of European lance that came into being after the pike-man craze, coming into play in the middle of the 17th century. ... several yari, including one hafted with a simple crossbar straight yari head with saya Jumonji yari head use of yari in mock combat Yari (槍) is the Japanese term for spear, or more specifically, the straight-headed spear. ... The tepoztopilli was a common front-lines weapon of the aztec military. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... A Trishula Trisula redirects here. ... Xyston (Greek spear, javelin) was a type of a long thrusting lance in ancient Greece. ... several yari, including one hafted with a simple crossbar straight yari head with saya Jumonji yari head use of yari in mock combat Yari (槍) is the Japanese term for spear, or more specifically, the straight-headed spear. ...

Spears usually thrown

An Askari guards an Allied air training school at Waterkloof, Pretoria, South Africa. ... Falarica was an ancient Iberian ranged pole weapon which were sometime used as an incendiary weapon. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Look up Javelin on Wiktionary, the free dictionary Javelin can refer to several things: For the spear-like object,used as a thrown weapon in ancient times see Javelin Ancient For the modern athletic discipline see Javelin throw. ... several yari, including one hafted with a simple crossbar straight yari head with saya Jumonji yari head use of yari in mock combat Yari (槍) is the Japanese term for spear, or more specifically, the straight-headed spear. ... several yari, including one hafted with a simple crossbar straight yari head with saya Jumonji yari head use of yari in mock combat Yari (槍) is the Japanese term for spear, or more specifically, the straight-headed spear. ... The one flue harpoon or one flue iron (sometimes single instead of one is used) is a type of harpoon used in whaling after its introduction in the early 19th century when it replaced the two flue harpoon. ... Reconstruction of a post-Marian pilum A Roman coin showing Antoninianus of Carinus holding pilum and globe. ... Plumbatae or mattiobarbuli were lead-weighted darts carried by ancient Roman infantry. ... Soliferrum or Soliferreum (Latin: solus, only + ferrum, Iron) was the Roman name for an ancient Iberian ranged pole weapon made entirely of iron. ... A spiculum is a late Roman spear that replaced the pilum at around 250AD as the infantrymans main throwing javelin. ... Vel Tamil வேல் is an ancient spear like weapon of Tamils. ... several yari, including one hafted with a simple crossbar straight yari head with saya Jumonji yari head use of yari in mock combat Yari (槍) is the Japanese term for spear, or more specifically, the straight-headed spear. ... The toggling harpoon is an ancient weapon and tool used in whaling to impale a whale when thrown. ... An engraving showing a two flu harpoon used in whaling The two flue harpoon or two flue iron (which, together with the one flue harpoon, were known as common harpoons) is a type of harpoon using in whaling for at least 1000 years. ...

Famous Spears

• Spear of Destiny or Lance of Longinus; Spear that pierced the side of Jesus.
• Gungnir Spear of Odin, famous god in Norse mythology.
• Amenonuhoko Spear of Izanagi and Izanami, creator gods in Japanese mythology .
• Spear of Lugh or Spear of Lúin named after Lugh, a god in Irish mythology.
• Gáe Bulg Spear of Cúchulainn, hero in Irish mythology.
• Trishula Spear of Shiva, a Hindu god.
• Octane Serpent Spear of Zhang Fei (Yide) from the Three Kingdoms period in China
• Posiden's Trident Greek sea god's three pronged spear given to him by the undersea Cyclops, also a Roman god Neptune

It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Holy Lance. ... This article is about Jesus of Nazareth. ... In Norse mythology, Gungnir (also Gungni, Gungner, or Gungrir) was the name of Odins javelin. ... For other meanings of Odin,Woden or Wotan see Odin (disambiguation), Woden (disambiguation), Wotan (disambiguation). ... Norse, Viking or Scandinavian mythology comprises the indigenous pre-Christian religion, beliefs and legends of the Scandinavian peoples, including those who settled on Iceland, where most of the written sources for Norse mythology were assembled. ... Ame-no-nuboko ) is the name given to the naginata in Japanese mythology used to raise the primordial land-mass, Onōgoro-shima, from the sea. ... 天瓊を以て滄海を探るの図. Painting by Eitaku Kobayashi (Meiji period). ... In Japanese mythology, Izanami (Katakana: イザナミ; Kanji: 伊弉冉尊 or 伊邪那美命, meaning She who invites) is a goddess of both creation and death, as well as the former wife of the god Izanagi. ... Japanese mythology is a very complex system of beliefs that embraces Shinto and Buddhist traditions as well as agriculture-based folk religion. ... In Irish mythology the Tuatha Dé Danaan (peoples of the goddess Danu) had once lived near the Danube River but wandered to the Northern Isles where they learned many skills and magic in its four cities Fáilias, Gorias, Murias and Finias. ... For other subjects with similar names, see Lug. ... The mythology of pre-Christian Ireland did not entirely survive the conversion to Christianity, but much of it was preserved, shorn of its religious meanings, in medieval Irish literature, which represents the most extensive and best preserved of all the branches of Celtic mythology. ... The Gáe Bulg (also Gáe Bulga, Gáe Bolg, Gáe Bolga, meaning notched spear, belly spear, bellows-dart, or possibly lightning spear) was the spear of Cúchulainn in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. ... Young Cúchulainn (as Sétanta), 1912 illustration by Stephen Reid. ... The mythology of pre-Christian Ireland did not entirely survive the conversion to Christianity, but much of it was preserved, shorn of its religious meanings, in medieval Irish literature, which represents the most extensive and best preserved of all the branches of Celtic mythology. ... A Trishula Trisula redirects here. ... For other uses, see Shiva (disambiguation). ... This is a Chinese name; the family name is Zhang Zhang Fei (?-221 AD) was a general of Shu Han in the Three Kingdoms period of China. ... The Three Kingdoms period (Traditional Chinese: ; Simplified Chinese: ; pinyin: ) is a period in the history of China, part of an era of disunity called the Six Dynasties. ...

See also

• Pole weapon
• Dart
• Arrow
• Lajinaa
• Atlatl
• Woomera
• Migration period spear
• Viking Age arms and armour
• Lance
• Pike (weapon)

A reenactor troupe armed with a variety of polearm known as a halberd. ... Darts are missile weapons, designed to fly such that a sharp, often weighted point will strike first. ... An arrow is a pointed projectile that is shot with a bow. ... A Lajinaa was a small spear used mostly by Spaniard pirates who raided trade ships in the gulf coast. ... An atlatl (from Nahuatl ahtlatl ; in English pronounced [1] or [2]) or spear-thrower is a tool that uses leverage to achieve greater velocity in spear-throwing, and includes a bearing surface which allows the user to temporarily store energy during the throw. ... The woomera in this picture is the wooden object at left A woomera is an Australian Aboriginal spear-throwing device. ... The spear together with the sword (longsax) and the shield was the main equipment of the early Germanic warriors. ... Our knowledge about arms and armour of the Viking age (8th to 11th centuries Europe) is based on relatively sparse archaeological finds, pictorial representation, and to some extent on the accounts in the Norse sagas and Norse laws recorded in the 13th century. ... The term lance has become a catchall for a variety of different pole weapons based on the spear. ... A modern recreation of a mid-17th century company of pikemen. ...

Notes and references

is the 65th day of the year (66th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... The Washington Post is the largest newspaper in Washington, D.C.. It is also one of the citys oldest papers, having been founded in 1877. ... is the 53rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

External links

• SPEAR (O. Eng. spere, O. H. Ger. sper, mod. Ger. sp
• Anglo-saxon spear forging
• Modern spear-forging techniques
• Basic Spear Training