Very old ? Zulu Assegai

[kronckew]

Shaka kaSenzangakhona basically re-invented the roman short sword in a spear format he was familiar with. the zulu king figured out that for disciplined professional soldiers with an organised and trained shield wall in close combat against a mob of undisciplined 'warriors' a short stabbing weapon was the best. roman writers discussed that a 3in deep stab to the body was normally sufficient. use your shield offensively to hook the opponents shield to his right, stab, push, trample & keep moving and stabbing. let the ranks behind finish off any wounded as they follow. throwing spears, like roman pilum, were used for shock just prior to the hand-to-hand collision.

he also discovered the cannae attack with his bull formation, engage the centre, then flank and surround. worked for hannibal, Shaka kaSenzangakhona, Cetshwayo kaMpande and stormin' norman shwartzkopf...

an example of parallel evolution