Lancer

<p>A lancer was a type of <a href="/facts/Cavalry/BstsEn1G">cavalryman</a> who fought with a <a href="/facts/Lance/d3KEh6Wn">lance</a>. Lances were used for mounted warfare in Assyria as early as 700 BC and subsequently by India, Egypt, China, <a href="/facts/Aswaran/Iehh7Luy">Persia</a>, <a href="/facts/Hippeus/QM793oKw">Greece</a>, and <a href="/facts/Roman_horsemen/eJElbcDf">Rome</a>. The weapon was widely used throughout <a href="/facts/Eurasia/KlLI9GDM">Eurasia</a> during the <a href="/facts/Middle_Ages/RqzEKB9v">Middle Ages</a> and the <a href="/facts/Renaissance/4D9Bc6KU">Renaissance</a> by <a href="/facts/Heavy_cavalry/2zRYzPyT">heavy cavalry</a>, but fell out of general use by the late 16th century, before its revival by <a href="/facts/Light_cavalry/TCgmqeIC">light cavalry</a> in the early 19th century. Lance cavalry remained in an active role into the early 20th century and <a href="/facts/World_War_I/vITTUanQ">World War I</a>. In modern times, many militaries retain units designated as lancers. However, the lance itself has been relegated to a ceremonial role.
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Lancer open-in-new

Lancer