Sarissa

The Sarisse was a long spear measuring 3 to 7 meters used by the Macedonian phalanxes.

Very heavy for a spear (5 kg), it had two bronze points at its ends. The short iron spike at its base allowed it to be anchored to the ground to halt the advance of enemy soldiers.

However apart from the tight formation of the phalanx, the sarissa was almost useless as a weapon and inconvenient when marching. For this purpose the sarissa was divided into two parts and joined before the battle.

The invention of the sarissa is credited to Philip II of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great.

Prodrome

Ambiorix

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