Spear 29234 225614597 2008-07-14T15:48:47Z Jumbuck 116385 robot Adding: [[is:Spjót]] {{otheruses}} [[Image:Mesa Verde spear and knife.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Hunting spear and knife, from [[Mesa Verde National Park]].]] A '''spear''' is a [[pole weapon]] used for [[hunting]] and [[war]], consisting of a shaft, usually of [[wood]], 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, such as obsidian or bronze. The most common design is of a metal spearhead, shaped like a triangle or a leaf. 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 (weapon)|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]]. 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 (weapon)|javelin]] thrown by the ancient Greeks and the [[pilum]] used by the [[Roman Empire|Roman]]s. == History == Spear manufacture and use is also practiced by the ''Pan troglodytes verus'' subspecies of the [[Common Chimpanzee]]. 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 [[galago]]s sleeping in hollows.<ref name=Pruetz1>Jill D. Pruetz1 and Paco Bertolani, [http://www.current-biology.com/content/article/fulltext?uid=PIIS0960982207008019 Savanna Chimpanzees, Pan troglodytes verus, Hunt with Tools"], ''Current Biology'', [[March 6]], [[2007]]</ref>. [[Orangutan]]s have also used spears to fish after observing humans fishing in a similar manner.<ref name=The Daily Mail1>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/technology/technology.html?in_article_id=562236&in_page_id=1766&ito=1490 ''Orangutan attempts to hunt fish with spear'', [[April 26]], [[2008]]</ref>. Archeological evidence documents that wooden spears were used for hunting 400,000 years ago.<ref>Lower Palaeolithic hunting spears from Germany. Hartmut Thieme. Letters to Nature. Nature 385, 807 - 810 (27 February 1997); doi:10.1038/385807a0 [http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v385/n6619/abs/385807a0.html]</ref> 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.<ref>Rick Weiss, [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/22/AR2007022201007.html "Chimps Observed Making Their Own Weapons"], ''[[The Washington Post]]'', [[February 22]], [[2007]]</ref> 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.{{Fact|date=July 2007}} == 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 society|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. 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. #Holding the spear or bracing it against the ground, the enemy impales himself. #The spear is thrust out with the arms alone. #The spear is held stiffly, and the thrust is delivered by stepping forward. #The spear is thrust out with the arms while stepping forward with one or both feet. #The front hand releases as the back hand and back foot move forward to perform a long thrust. #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. #The spear is thrown, often at a run, releasing when the opposite foot to the throwing arm is forward. #The spear is held couched under one arm, allowing a swinging motion as well as a powerful thrust. #The spear is swung, causing the tip of the blade to slice open the foe's flesh. The spear can then be brought around in a stabbing motion. This versatility led to the continued use of spears, in the form of [[Pike (weapon)|pike]]s, for many years even after the invention of firearms. == Symbolism == More than a weapon, a spear may be a [[symbol]] of power. In the [[Chinese martial arts]] community, the [[List of martial arts weapons|Chinese]] spear ([[Qiang (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 [[Surrender (military)|submitting]] to an enemy. The [[Celts]] would symbolically destroy a dead warrior's spear to prevent their use by another. [[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 [[Gladius|swords]], while the elite [[triarii]] who formed the final line fought with spears. [[Odin]]'s spear (called [[Gungnir]]) was of [[Ash tree|ash]]wood, 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). 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. Another spear of religious significance was the [[Spear of Destiny]], an artifact believed by some to have vast mystical powers. Sir [[James Frazer|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). == Types of spears == === Spears which are not usually thrown === {| width=100% | valign=top width=33% | *'''[[Arbir]]''' *'''[[Aunurgith]]''' *'''[[Awl pike]]''' *'''[[Barchi (lance)|Barchi]]''' *'''[[Boar spear]]''' *'''[[Bohemian ear spoon]]''' *'''[[Brandistock]]''' *'''Chimbane''' *'''Contus''' *'''[[Doru]]''' *'''Dung''' *'''[[Fauchard]]''' *'''[[Guandao]]''' *'''[[Halberd]]''' *'''[[Half pike]]''' *'''[[Hasta (spear)|Hasta]]''' *'''[[Ji (halberd)|Ji]]''' *'''[[Jousting lance]]''' | valign=top width=34% | *'''Kadji''' *'''[[Kamayari]]''' *'''Katakamayari''' *'''[[Kontos]]''' *'''[[Lance]]''' *'''[[Yari|Magari yari]]''' *'''[[Military fork]] *'''Mon-Gil Mon-Gil''' *'''[[Ox tongue (spear)|Ox tongue]]''' *'''[[Partisan (weapon)|Partisan]]''' *'''[[Pike (weapon)|Pike]] *'''[[Plançon a picot]]''' *'''[[Qiang (spear)|Qiāng]]''' (槍) *'''[[Ranseur]]''' *'''Rifle-and-[[bayonet]]''' *'''Rummh''' | valign=top width=33% | *'''Sangu''' *'''[[Sarissa]]''' *'''[[Sibat]]''' *'''[[Spetum]] *'''[[Spontoon]]''' *'''Sudis''' *'''[[Yari|Su yari]]''' *'''Taru''' *'''[[Tepoztopilli]]''' *'''[[Trident]]''' *'''[[Trishula]]''' *'''To-ono''' *'''[[Xyston]]''' *'''[[Yari]]''' |} ===Spears usually thrown=== {| width=100% | valign=top width=33% | *'''Angon''' *'''[[Assegai]]''' *'''Ballam''' *'''Bandang''' *'''Bhala''' *'''Bilari''' *'''Budiak''' *'''Cateia''' *'''Chimbane''' *'''Cirit''' *'''Contus''' *'''Do-War''' *'''Egchos''' *'''Enhero''' *'''Fal-feg''' *'''[[Falarica]]''' *'''Framea''' *'''Gravo''' *'''Golo''' *'''Granggang''' *'''Hak''' *'''Hinyan''' *'''[[Hoko]]''' *'''Huata''' *'''Irpull''' *'''Ja-Mandehi''' *'''Jaculum''' *'''Jarid''' *'''[[Javelin (weapon)|Javelin]]''' *'''Jiboru''' *'''Kasita''' | valign=top width=34% | *'''Kan-Shoka''' *'''Kannai''' *'''Koyuan''' *'''Kujolio''' *'''Kuyan''' *'''Laange''' *'''Lance-Ague''' *'''Lanza''' *'''Lama-pe''' *'''[[Leister]]''' *'''Mahee''' *'''Makrigga''' *'''[[Yari|Makura Yari]]''' *'''Mandehi liguje''' *'''Máo''' (矛) *'''Mkukt''' *'''Mongile''' *'''Mongoli''' *'''Mu-Rongal''' *'''[[Yari|Nage-Yari]]''' *'''Nandum''' *'''Nerau''' *'''[[One flue harpoon]]''' *'''Paralyser''' *'''Patisthanaya''' *'''Pelta''' *'''Pill''' *'''Pillara''' *'''[[Pilum]]''' *'''[[Plumbata (dart)|Plumbatae]]''' | valign=top width=33% | *'''Sang''' *'''Sangkoh''' *'''Sanokat''' *'''Saunion''' *'''Shail''' *'''Shanen kopaton''' *'''Siligis''' *'''Short spear''' *'''Simbilan''' *'''Sinan''' *'''Sligi''' *'''[[Soliferrum]]''' *'''[[Spiculum]]''' *'''Sudanese lance''' *'''Tahr Ruan''' *'''Tao''' *'''Tawok''' *'''Telempang''' *'''[[Vel]]''' *'''[[Yari|Te yari]]''' *'''Tirrer''' *'''Tjunkuletti''' *'''[[Toggling harpoon]]''' *'''Tombak''' *'''Tschehouta''' *'''Tumpuling''' *'''[[Two flue harpoon]]''' *'''Wainian''' *'''Wallunka''' *'''Wi-Valli''' *'''Zagaye''' |} ==Famous Spears== *[[Gungnir]] Spear of [[Odin]], famous god in [[Norse mythology]]. *[[Spear of Destiny]] or Lance of Longinus; Spear that pierced the side of [[Jesus]]. *[[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]]. *[[Trident|Posiden's Trident]] Greek sea god's three pronged spear given to him by the undersea Cyclops, also a Roman god Neptune. ==See also== *[[Pole weapon]] *[[Dart (missile)|Dart]] *[[Arrow (weapon)|Arrow]] *[[Lajinaa]] *[[Atlatl]] *[[Woomera (spear-thrower)|Woomera]] *[[Migration period spear]] *[[Viking Age arms and armour]] *[[Lance]] *[[Pike (weapon)]] == Notes and references == <!-- This article uses [[Wikipedia:Footnotes]]. Please use this format when adding references to material in the article. External links added directly to this section will be swiftly deleted without notice. --> {{reflist}} ==External links== *[http://encyclopedia.jrank.org/SOU_STE/SPEAR_O_Eng_spere_O_H_Ger_sper_.html SPEAR (O. Eng. spere, O. H. Ger. sper, mod. Ger. sp] *[http://www.anvilfire.com/iForge/tutor/atli_spear/index.htm Anglo-saxon spear forging] *[http://www.anvilfire.com/iForge/tutor/atli_spear/index2.htm Modern spear-forging techniques] *[http://livinghistory.ie/modules.php?name=Documents&MODE=SHOW&PAGE=Introduction Basic Spear Training] [[Category:Spears| ]] [[Category:Ancient weapons]] [[Category:Blade weapons]] [[Category:Medieval weapons]] [[Category:Pole weapons]] [[Category:Primitive weapons]] [[Category:Projectiles]] [[ar:رمح]] [[ast:Llanza]] [[bs:Koplje]] [[bg:Копие]] [[cv:Сăнă]] [[cs:Kopí]] [[da:Spyd]] [[de:Speer]] [[et:Oda]] [[es:Lanza]] [[eo:Lanco]] [[fa:نیزه]] [[ko:창]] [[hr:Koplje]] [[id:Tombak]] [[is:Spjót]] [[it:Lancia (arma)]] [[he:חנית]] [[kg:Dikongo]] [[ms:Lembing]] [[nl:Speer]] [[ja:槍]] [[no:Spyd]] [[nn:Spyd]] [[pl:Włócznia]] [[pt:Lança]] [[ru:Копьё]] [[simple:Spear]] [[sl:Kopje]] [[fi:Keihäs]] [[sv:Spjut]] [[th:หอก]] [[uk:Спис]] [[zh:矛]]