The javelin was a short, light weight spear designed solely to be thrown. Some were constructed entirely of metal but most were
metal spear tips mounted on a wooden shaft. Often a throwing device would also be used to increase the range and force of the
javelin. There is no one particular design or example of what a javelin was; any short spear used for throwing was called a
javelin. The javelin was used throughout history, most effectively by the ancient Greeks.