sarissas

A sarissa is a long spear used by the Macedonian infantry in the 4th century BCE, most famously in the Macedonian phalanx developed under Philip II and employed by Alexander the Great. Lengths are traditionally given as about 4 to 6 meters, with some later examples reported longer. The shaft was typically ash wood, with a leaf-shaped iron head; the butt end sometimes featured a reinforcing element to brace against the ground or counterbalance the weapon.

In formation, the sarissa enabled the phalanx to present a coordinated wall of spearpoints. Front ranks thrust outward while the longer rear ranks overlapped, extending the reach and deterring cavalry and infantry charges. Soldiers fought behind shields and with shorter swords, while the sarissa dominated the forward fighting arc and allowed a dense, disciplined front to remain effective over distance.

Practical considerations and limitations: The weapon's length made it unwieldy in rough terrain, during close combat, or in narrow spaces. Its effectiveness depended on disciplined drill, tight cohesion, and support from other arms, including mobile infantry and cavalry. Over time, Hellenistic armies experimented with variants and mixed formations, balancing reach with flexibility.

Legacy: The sarissa is a hallmark of Macedonian military organization and influenced later Hellenistic warfare. Classical writers such as Arrian and Polybius describe its strategic role in Alexander’s campaigns and subsequent wars. The concept of a long, coordinated pike used in dense formations resurfaced in various forms in later ancient and medieval warfare.