History of Pole weapon

	Revision 6 . . December 14, 2001 7:41 pm by Anders Torlind [Minor copyediting]
	Revision 5 . . December 14, 2001 3:41 am by (logged).153.24.xxx [adding 'pike' to list since Macedonian phalanx defines the sarissa as a flavor of pike]
	Revision 4 . . December 14, 2001 3:40 am by (logged).153.24.xxx [linking Macedonian phalanx (since we have it)]
	Revision 3 . . December 14, 2001 3:35 am by (logged).129.26.xxx
	Revision 2 . . (edit) December 14, 2001 1:25 am by Anders Torlind
	Revision 1 . . December 14, 2001 1:24 am by Anders Torlind [Initial entry with pointers to weapons]

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Difference (from prior major revision) (no other diffs)

Changed: 1c1

A pole weapon is a close combat weapon with the main fighting part of the weapon placed on the end of a long shaft, typically of wood. The use of pole weapons is very old, and the first spears date to the stone age. The purpose of using pole weapons is to either increase angular momentum (and thus striking power) when the weapon is swung, or extending reach (hit your opponent before he can hit you..). Pole weapons generally have the advantage over other weapons that they are relatively cheap to make, and fairly easy for most people to use effectively (as they were often derived from hunting or agricultural tools).

A pole weapon is a close combat weapon with the main fighting part of the weapon placed on the end of a long shaft, typically of wood. The use of pole weapons is very old, and the first spears date to the stone age. The purpose of using pole weapons is to either increase angular momentum, and thus striking power, when the weapon is swung, or extending reach. Pole weapons are relatively cheap and simple to make, and they were fairly easy for most people to use effectively as they were often derived from hunting? or agricultural tools.

Changed: 3c3

Spears were probably first used as hunting tools, either for thrusting or for throwing; the ability to strike the prey from a relatively safe distance no doubt appealing to the hunters. It was likely recognized almost immediately that they were also most useful against predators (including other humans).

Spears were probably first used as hunting weapons, either for thrusting or for throwing; the ability to strike the prey from a relatively safe distance no doubt appealing to the hunters. It was likely recognized almost immediately that they were also most useful against predators and other humans.