polearms

Polearms are weapons that combine a long shaft with a weapon head mounted at or near the end. The extended reach, leverage, and varied head shapes made polearms versatile tools for infantry, capable of damaging armored or mounted opponents, crowd control, and battlefield manipulation. The term covers a broad range of weapons, from simple spears to more specialized forms.

Common types include:

- Spear: a straight shaft with a pointed tip, used for thrusting and keeping foes at a distance.

- Pike: a longer spear designed for use in coordinated formations to repel cavalry.

- Halberd: a polearm with an axe-blade, a spike, and often a hook for pulling riders or shields.

- Glaive: a single-edged blade mounted on a long shaft, used for sweeping cuts and thrusts.

- Naginata: a Japanese curved blade on a long shaft, valued for cutting reach.

- Chinese polearms such as the qiang (spear) and guandao (heavy curved blade on a pole) represent East Asian traditions.

- Other regional forms include the partisan, ranseur, bardiche, voulge, and bill, each with distinctive heads and balance.

Historical use and development:

Polearms spread widely from the Bronze Age onward and attained prominence in Europe during the medieval and early modern periods, when pikes and halberds shaped infantry tactics and fortress defenses. In Europe, the pike phase emphasized long ranks and coordinated thrusts, while halberds offered cutting power and anti-armour capability. In East Asia, polearms accompanied cavalry and infantry with diverse designs suited to martial arts and battlefield needs.

Legacy:

With the rise of firearms, polearms declined as primary battlefield weapons but persisted in training, ceremonial use, and certain martial arts. They remain subjects of historical study and are practiced in various contemporary fencing and wushu traditions.