sarissae

The sarissa (plural sarissae) is a long two-handed spear associated with the Macedonian infantry of the late Classical and Hellenistic periods. In contrast to the shorter dory used by Greek hoplites, the sarissa was typically much longer, commonly about 4 to 6 meters in length, with some accounts noting lengths up to about 7 meters.

Construction and handling: The shaft was usually made of hardened wood such as ash; the head was a leaf-shaped spear point of iron or bronze, fitted to a socket near the tip. A butt spike at the opposite end provided stability and allowed the weapon to be braced into the ground during long battles or used in close quarters when necessary. The sarissa required a two-handed grip and substantial training to control in formation.

Historical development and adoption: The sarissa was developed under Philip II of Macedon in the 4th century BCE and became central to the military reforms that created the Macedonian phalanx. Alexander the Great inherited the tactic and used long sarissae to maintain spear range during campaigns across the eastern Mediterranean.

Tactical use: In the Macedonian phalanx, units stood in dense ranks and presented a wall of pikes to enemy formations. The length of the sarissa allowed Macedonian pikemen to threaten opponents beyond the reach of their shields, while supporting troops protected the flanks. The weapon demanded extensive drill and discipline to preserve cohesion as ranks advanced and shifted.

Legacy: The sarissa symbolized Macedonian military innovation and influenced later Hellenistic warfare, with some later pikes adopting similar proportions. The term sarissa is used in classical studies to refer to these long Macedonian pikes.