Spear
Specifications
- Type
- Polearm / Thrusting Weapon
- Origin
- Universal
- Era
- Lower Paleolithic, c. 500,000 years ago
- Notable Users
- Greek hoplites, Macedonian phalangites, Zulu impis
- Epoch
- Ancient Age
History
The spear is arguably the most important weapon in human history. A sharpened point on a long shaft, it extends the reach of the wielder and concentrates force into a tiny area. Fire-hardened wooden spears from Clacton-on-Sea date to roughly 450,000 years ago. With the addition of stone and later metal points, the spear became the primary infantry weapon of virtually every civilization from the Sumerian phalanx to the Zulu impi. It is cheap, effective, and requires minimal training.
Significance
The spear dominated warfare for longer than any other weapon in history. From prehistory through the Renaissance, the spear in its various forms — pike, lance, sarissa — was the backbone of organized armies. More battles have been decided by the spear than any other weapon.
54 Weapons. Five Epochs. One Poster.
The Spear is one of 9 weapons from the Ancient Age featured on the poster.
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