sarissa

The sarissa is a long spear used by the Macedonian army's phalanx in the late Classical and early Hellenistic periods. It was developed under Philip II of Macedon and became a defining feature of Alexander the Great’s military organization, extending the reach of infantry well beyond that of most contemporary spears.

Usually four to seven meters in length, the sarissa was noticeably longer than standard infantry spears. The shaft was typically made of ash or limewood, with a metal spearhead that could be leaf-shaped or narrow and pointed. Some versions included a butt spike or other stabilizing features at the rear, which could help plant the weapon or serve as a secondary contact point in close fighting.

In battle, soldiers fought in dense phalanxes, each man presenting a long spear toward the enemy. The extreme length of the sarissa produced a formidable forward reach and a shielded formation that could present a continuous wall of spearpoints, hindering enemy charges and breaking lines before melee contact. The effective use of the sarissa required extensive training and disciplined, coordinated movement among ranks, especially as the phalanx advanced or maneuvered on varied terrain.

After the reign of Alexander, sarissae continued to be used by Hellenistic armies and influenced later pike formations in the region. The weapon’s usefulness diminished with changes in military tactics and the development of Roman-style legions and other infantry formations, leading to its gradual decline in the following centuries. The sarissa remains a symbol of Macedonian military innovation and the tactical emphasis on range and depth in ancient warfare.