Slag bij Cognac in de Auvergne, 1568 1565 - 1573

This engraving by Frans Hogenberg depicts the Battle of Cognac in 1568, teeming with bristling spears and clashing bodies. Here, the spear, more than just a weapon, becomes a symbol of aggression and defense. One can trace its lineage back to ancient Greece, where the spear was emblematic of martial prowess, or even further back, where the phallic symbolism of the spear has echoed through various cultures, embodying power and virility. Consider its evolution—from the simple thrusting spears of antiquity to the more sophisticated pikes of Hogenberg's time. As warfare evolved, the spear adapted, yet it always retained its primal association with combat and dominance. What remains consistent is the collective memory of the spear as an instrument of war and an extension of human will, forever associated with the clash of armies and the struggle for power. The enduring image of the spear as a symbol of conflict resonates deeply within our collective consciousness, reminding us of humanity's long-standing propensity for war.