Why did Greeks use spears?

Ancient Greek weapons and armor were primarily geared towards combat between individuals. Their primary technique was called the phalanx, a formation consisting of massed shield wall, which required heavy frontal armor and medium-ranged weapons such as spears. This would help them in the Greco-Persian Wars.

What was a Greek soldiers spear mainly used for?

The phalanx protected soldiers from the arrows and attacks of the enemy. The spears of the soldiers in the front rows of the phalanx were projected forwards to attack the enemy while the spears of the soldiers in the rear ranks were projected upwards to defend the phalanx from arrows and projectiles.

How did Greeks fight with spears?

The hoplites fought in a battle formation called the “phalanx.” In the phalanx, soldiers would stand side by side overlapping their shields to make a wall of protection. Then they would march forward using their spears to attack their opponents. There were generally several rows of soldiers.

What spears did the Greeks use?

The dory or doru (/ˈdɒruː/; Greek: δόρυ) is a spear that was the chief spear of hoplites (heavy infantry) in Ancient Greece.

What are the advantages of spears?

Spears hit harder – much harder – than swords. They have significant reach advantages. They are incredibly fast. They can be used with great facility at point blank range (you don’t have to hold the thing at the back, and a long staff is a great wrestling tool).

How did the Greeks fight with spears?

Fighting formation They lined up in ranks and locked their shields together with just their spears pointing over the top. This formation was known as a ‘phalanx’. Enemy soldiers saw only a wall of spears and shields moving towards them. It was tough to break through once a phalanx started marching forward.

Why did the Spartans use spears?

When used by the Spartans this spear would be used with only one hand, allowing the Spartan to maintain and protect himself with his Apsis shield.

Did the Romans use spears or swords?

In the 1st century, Roman cavalry started using these longer swords, and in the late 2nd or early 3rd century, Roman infantry also switched to longer swords, as well as mostly changing from carrying javelins to carrying spears.

Why did soldiers carry weapons in ancient Greece?

Soldiers were required to provide their own panoply, which could prove expensive, however the lack of any official peace-keeping force meant that most Greek citizens carried weapons as a matter of course for self-defence. Because individuals provided their own equipment,…

What kind of weapons did the ancient Macedonians use?

Personal weapons. Spears. Paintings of Ancient Macedonian soldiers, arms, and armaments, from the tomb of Agios Athanasios, Thessaloniki in Greece, 4th century BC. The primary weapon was used by Greek troops was a two-to-three meter spear with a leaf-shaped blade at one end and a short spike at the other known as the doru.

How effective were Spears in ancient Rome?

To fight in such a tight formation head to head battle, spears were very effective. A sword would have the combatant leave the formation to go closer while spear allowed to remain in safe position. If you compare the Roman legion with the hoplite phalanx, the phalanx is still better in front battles.

Why is a spear more expensive than a sword?

Sword is more expensive because it use a lot of steel, and steel is very expensive before the industrial age. Anyway warrior around the world actually use spear a lot often than they use the sword. Sword were mostly symbolic. Even the famous samurai use the spear.