See Also

Spear

A spear is an ancient weapon Weapon

A weapon is a tool [i] which is intended to or is used to injure [i], kill, or [i] ... 

 used for hunting Hunting

Hunting is the practice of pursuing animal [i]s to capture or kill them for food [i], recreation [i], or ... 

 and war War

War is a conflict involving the organized use of weapon [i]s and physical force by state [i]s or other l ... 

, consisting of a shaft, usually of wood Wood

Wood is derived from woody plant [i]s, notably tree [i]s but also shrub [i]s. ... 

, with a sharpened head. The head may be simply the sharpened end of the shaft itself, as is the case with bamboo spears, or it may be of another material fastened to the shaft. The most common design is of a metal spearhead, shaped somewhat like a dagger Dagger

A dagger is a double-edged knife used for stabbing, thrusting or as a secondary defense weapon in close combat [i] ... 

. Spears were arguably one of the most common personal weapons from the late Bronze Age until the advent of firearms Firearm

A firearm is a weapon [i] that fires either single or multiple projectile [i]s propelled at high velocit ... 

. They may be seen as the ancestor of such weapons as the lance Lance

The term lance has become a catchall for a variety of different pole weapon [i]s based on the spear [i]. ... 

, the halberd Halberd

This article is about the weapon.... 

, the naginata Naginata

Naginata is a pole weapon [i] that was traditionally used in Japan [i] by members of the samurai [i] cla ... 

 and the pike.

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Encyclopedia



A spear is an ancient weapon Weapon

A weapon is a tool [i] which is intended to or is used to injure [i], kill, or [i] ... 

 used for hunting Hunting

Hunting is the practice of pursuing animal [i]s to capture or kill them for food [i], recreation [i], or... 

 and war War

War is a conflict involving the organized use of weapon [i]s and physical force by state [i]s or other l ... 

, consisting of a shaft, usually of wood Wood

Wood is derived from woody plant [i]s, notably tree [i]s but also shrub [i]s. ... 

, with a sharpened head. The head may be simply the sharpened end of the shaft itself, as is the case with bamboo spears, or it may be of another material fastened to the shaft. The most common design is of a metal spearhead, shaped somewhat like a dagger Dagger

A dagger is a double-edged knife used for stabbing, thrusting or as a secondary defense weapon in close combat [i] ... 

.

Spears were arguably one of the most common personal weapons from the late Bronze Age until the advent of firearms Firearm

A firearm is a weapon [i] that fires either single or multiple projectile [i]s propelled at high velocit ... 

. They may be seen as the ancestor of such weapons as the lance Lance

The term lance has become a catchall for a variety of different pole weapon [i]s based on the spear [i]. ... 

, the halberd Halberd

This article is about the weapon.... 

, the naginata Naginata

Naginata is a pole weapon [i] that was traditionally used in Japan [i] by members of the samurai [i] cla... 

 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 Rifle

A rifle is a firearm [i] with a stock and a barrel that has a spiral groove or grooves cut into its int ... 

 mounted bayonet Bayonet

A bayonet is a knife [i]- or dagger [i]-shaped weapon [i] designed to fit on or over the muzzle [i] ... 

.

Spears can be used as both melee and ballistic weapons. 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 Pilum

The pilum was a throwing spear [i] commonly used by the Roman army [i] ... 

 used by the Roman Roman Empire

The Roman Empire was a phase of the ancient Roman [i] civilization characterized by an autocratic [i] ... 

s.

History

Archeological evidence suggest that wooden spears were used for hunting 400,000 years ago. By 250,000 years ago wooden spears were made with fire-hardened points. From 280,000 humans make complex stone blades, which eventually will provide blades for spearpoints later on. By 50,000 years ago there was a revolution in human culture, leading to more complex hunting techniques.

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 the time of the spear's greatest use. In pre-industrial societies, where 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 two, three or more 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.

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 be effectively wielded. 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 are effective in several senses, some of them already mentioned. It is effective in being a cheap, relatively easy to wield weapon that could be quickly manufactured in large numbers, can be used at a considerable distance from the target and, in the hands of an experienced user, it is fast and lethal.

Despite what many people think, the spear attacks by one hand losely holding it and the other slideing it.

Symbolism

More than a weapon, a spear may be a symbol Symbol

A symbol, in its basic sense, is a conventional representation of a concept [i]; i.e., an idea [i], object [i] ... 

 of power. In the Chinese martial arts Chinese martial arts

This article provides a general overview of Chinese martial arts.... 

 community, the Chinese spear is popularly known as the "king of weapons". In ancient Greece Ancient Greece

Ancient Greece is the period in Greek history [i] which lasted for around one thousand years and ended w ... 

 it was a yoke of spears that had to be borne when submitting to an enemy. The Celts Celt

The term Celt, normally pronounced // , refers to a member of any of a number of peoples in Europe u... 

 would symbolically destroy a dead warrior's spears to prevent their use by another.

Livy Livy

Titus Livius , known as Livy in English [i], wrote a monumental history of Rome [i]... 

 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 javelins, while the elite triarii who formed the final line fought with spears.

Odin Odin

Odin is considered the chief god [i] in Norse mythology [i] and Norse paganism [i], like the Anglo-Saxon [i] ... 

's spear was of ash Ash tree

An ash can be any of four different tree genera [i] from four very distinct families [i] , ... 

wood, made from the "World-Ash" Yggdrasil Yggdrasil

In Norse mythology [i], Yggdrasil also sometimes called Mmameir or Lra is the "World Tree [i] ... 

, and it may be remarkable that Chiron Chiron

In Greek mythology [i], Chiron — sometimes transliterated Cheiron or rarely Kiron — was hel ... 

's wedding-gift to Peleus Peleus

In Greek mythology [i], Peles was the son of Endeis [i] and Aeacus [i], King of Aegina [i], and father ... 

 when he married the nymph Thetis Thetis

In Greek mythology [i], silver-footed Thetis is a sea nymph [i], one of the fifty Nereid [i]s, daughters ... 

 at a wedding attended by all the Olympians, was an ashen spear .

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 Athena

In Greek mythology [i], Athena was the goddess of wisdom [i], weaving [i], crafts [i], and war [i]. ... 

, interpreting her spear as a symbolic connection to some of Zeus' power beyond the Aegis.

Another spear of religious significance was the Spear of Destiny Spear of Destiny

According to Christian texts, the Spear of Destiny is the spear that is reported in the Gospel of John [i] ... 

, an artifact believed by some to have vast mystical powers.

Sir James George Frazer James Frazer

* The Golden Bough [i], 2nd edition
... 

 in The Golden Bough The Golden Bough

The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion is a wide-ranging comparative study of mythology [i] ... 

noted the phallic nature of the spear and suggested the spear as a lance in the Arthurian Legends, paired with the Grail , functioned symbolically as a symbol of male fertility.

Types of spears


Spears which are not usually thrown




  • Aunurgith
  • Awl pike
  • Barchi
  • Boar spear Boar spear

    A boar spear is a special type of spear [i] that was invented and widely used in Germany [i] and Scandinavia [i] ... 

  • Bohemian ear spoon
  • Chimbane
  • Contus
  • Dung
  • Falarica



  • Hasta
  • Jousting lance Jousting

    Jousting is a [i] competition between two mounted knight [i]s. ... 

  • Kadji
  • Lance Lance

    The term lance has become a catchall for a variety of different pole weapon [i]s based on the spear [i]. ... 

  • Magari yari Yari

    Yari is the Japanese [i] term for spear [i], or more specifically, the straight-headed ... 

  • Mon-Gil Mon-Gil
  • Ox tongue
  • Partisan
  • Pike
  • Plançon a picot
  • Qiang



  • Rifle-and-bayonet Bayonet

    A bayonet is a knife [i]- or dagger [i]-shaped weapon [i] designed to fit on or over the muzzle [i] ... 

  • Rummh
  • Sangu
  • Sarissa
  • Spontoon Spontoon

    A Spontoon is type of European [i] lance [i] that came into being after the pike [i]-man craze, com ... 

  • Sudis
  • Su yari Yari

    Yari is the Japanese [i] term for spear [i], or more specifically, the straight-headed ... 

  • Taru
  • Tepoztopilli Tepoztopilli

    The tepoztopilli was a common front-lines weapon of the Aztec [i] military.... 

  • To-ono
  • Yari Yari

    Yari is the Japanese [i] term for spear [i], or more specifically, the straight-headed ... 



Spears usually thrown




  • Angon
  • Assegai Assegai

    An assegai or assagai is a weapon [i] for throwing or hurling, usually a light spear [i] or javelin [i] ... 

  • Ballam
  • Bandang
  • Bhala
  • Bilari
  • Budiak
  • Cateia
  • Chimbane
  • Contus
  • Do-War
  • Egchos
  • Enhero
  • Fal-feg
  • Falarica
  • Framea
  • Gravo
  • Golo
  • Granggang
  • Hak
  • Harpoon Harpoon

    A harpoon is a long spear-like instrument used in fishing [i] to catch fish or other large aquatic anima ... 

  • Hinyan
  • Hoko Yari

    Yari is the Japanese [i] term for spear [i], or more specifically, the straight-headed ... 

  • Huata
  • Irpull
  • Ja-Mandehi
  • Jaculum
  • Jarid
  • Javelin Javelin throw

    The javelin throw is an athletics [i] throwing event where the object to be thrown is the javelin [i], ... 

  • Jiboru
  • Kasita



  • Kamayari
  • Kan-Shoka
  • Kannai
  • Kapun
  • Kiero
  • Kikuki
  • Koveh
  • Koy-yung
  • Koyuan
  • Kujolio
  • Kuyan
  • Laange
  • Lance-Ague
  • Lanza
  • Lama-pe
  • Leister
  • Mahee
  • Makrigga
  • Makura Yari Yari

    Yari is the Japanese [i] term for spear [i], or more specifically, the straight-headed ... 

  • Mandehi liguje
  • Máo
  • Mkukt
  • Mongile
  • Mongoli
  • Mu-Rongal
  • Nage-Yari Yari

    Yari is the Japanese [i] term for spear [i], or more specifically, the straight-headed ... 

  • Nandum
  • Nerau
  • Paralyser
  • Patisthanaya
  • Pelta
  • Pill
  • Pillara
  • Pilum Pilum

    The pilum was a throwing spear [i] commonly used by the Roman army [i] ... 

  • Plumbatae



  • Sang
  • Sangkoh
  • Sanokat
  • Saunion
  • Shail
  • Shanen kopaton
  • Siligis
  • Short spear
  • Simbilan
  • Sinan
  • Sligi
  • Soliferrum
  • Spiculum
  • Su Yari Yari

    Yari is the Japanese [i] term for spear [i], or more specifically, the straight-headed ... 

  • Sudanese lance
  • Tahr Ruan
  • Tao
  • Tawok
  • Telempang
  • Vel Vel

    Vel is the divine lance(spear) of the Hindu God Murugan [i].

... 


  • Te yari Yari

    Yari is the Japanese [i] term for spear [i], or more specifically, the straight-headed ... 

  • Tirrer
  • Tjunkuletti
  • Tombak
  • Tschehouta
  • Tumpuling
  • Wainian
  • Wallunka
  • Wi-Valli
  • Zagaye


Famous Spears

  • Spear of Destiny Spear of Destiny

    According to Christian texts, the Spear of Destiny is the spear that is reported in the Gospel of John [i] ... 

     Spear that pierced the side of Jesus Jesus

    Jesus,Some of the historians and Biblical scholars who place the birth and death of Jesus within this ra... 

    .
  • Gungnir Spear of Odin Odin

    Odin is considered the chief god [i] in Norse mythology [i] and Norse paganism [i], like the Anglo-Saxon [i] ... 

    , famous god in Norse mythology Norse mythology

    Norse or Scandinavian mythology comprises the pre-Christian [i] religion [i], beliefs ... 

    .
  • Amenonuhoko   Spear of Izanagi and Izanami , creator gods in Japanese mythology Japanese mythology

    Japanese mythology is a complex system of beliefs.... 

      .
  • Spear of Lugh Spear of Lugh

    In Irish mythology [i], the Spear Lúin or Spear of Lugh is one of the Four Treasures [i] of Irelan ... 

     or Spear of Lúin named after Lugh, a god in Irish mythology.
  • Gáe Bulg Spear of Cúchulainn Cúchulainn

    In Irish mythology [i] Cchulainn is an Irish folk legend and the pre-eminent hero of Ulster [i] i ... 

    , hero in Irish mythology.
  • Trishula Spear of Shiva Shiva

    Shiva is a form of Ishvara [i] or God [i] in the later Vedic [i] scriptures of Hinduism [i]. ... 

    , a Hindu god.
  • Octane Serpent Spear of Zhang Fei  from the Three Kingdoms Three Kingdoms

    The Three Kingdoms period is a period in the history of China [i], part of an era of disunity called th ... 

     period in China China

    China is a cultural region [i] and ancient civilization [i] in East Asia [i]. ... 



See also

  • Atlatl Atlatl

    The atlatl, or "spear thrower", is a tool [i] that uses lever [i]age to achieve greater velocity in spear [i] ... 

  • Dart
  • Arrow Arrow

    An arrow is a pointed projectile [i] that is shot with a bow [i]. ... 

  • Sibat
  • Halberd Halberd

    This article is about the weapon.... 



External links

  • Anglo-saxon spear forging")