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Dory (Greek: Δόρυ), was a type of spear in general use in the ancient Greek and Hellenistic world. Although accounts of the weapon's length vary, it is usually held today to have been between 2.1 m and 2.8 m long. It was held one-handed, the other hand holding the hoplite's aspis (shield). The front spearhead was usually a curved leaf shape, while the other contained a spike called a sauroter (σαυρωτήρ: "lizard-killer") which was used to stand the spear in the ground (hence the name), as a secondary weapon if the main shaft snapped or for the rear ranks to finish off fallen opponents as the phalanx advanced over them. Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Spears were one of the most common personal weapons from the late Bronze Age until the advent of firearms. ... The term ancient Greece refers to the periods of Greek history in Classical Antiquity, lasting ca. ... The term Hellenistic (derived from HéllÄ“n, the Greeks traditional self-described ethnic name) was established by the German historian Johann Gustav Droysen to refer to the spreading of Greek culture over the non-Greek peoples that were conquered by Alexander the Great. ... The hoplite was a heavy infantryman that was the central focus of warfare in Ancient Greece. ... An aspis (Ancient Greek Ασπις, IPA [aspis]) is the generic term for the word shield. ...

The soldier would wield his spear above the shoulder. The spear would have been held near the end, with the sauroter hooked behind the elbow. Likewise while the aspis provided good defense by itself, an underarm carry would have allowed the soldier to absorb more shock, parry more easily, and "couch" the spear under his shoulder for maximum stability. This spear was rarely thrown.

External links

• A good account of the Hoplite's spear although the name Doru is not mentioned in the article
• A discussion on spear deployment, arguing in favor of underarm use

See also

• Pole weapon
• Spear
• Sarissa
• Xyston
• Hoplite
• Hellenistic army