Sarissa

The sarissa spear formation used by Philip and Alexander. ❋ Philip Freeman (2011)

Of course, the effectiveness of the sarissa depended on the disciplined Macedonians acting as a unit. ❋ Philip Freeman (2011)

The sarissa was made to destroy hoplites, but the deadly formation would work equally well on barbarian warriors charging the Macedonian lines. ❋ Philip Freeman (2011)

But control of the sarissa was made possible by the elimination of heavy armor and weapons so that Macedonian foot soldiers, unlike their Greek or barbarian counterparts, could use both hands to hold and thrust their spears to deadly effect. ❋ Philip Freeman (2011)

Each Macedonian foot soldier held his eighteen-foot sarissa before him. ❋ Philip Freeman (2011)

He lined up his veteran Macedonians and with their deadly sarissa formation attacked the pursuing Thebans. ❋ Philip Freeman (2011)

He lined up his infantry in deep formation with their long sarissa spears aimed square at the woods in front of them. ❋ Philip Freeman (2011)

If the foot soldiers of Macedonia with their long sarissa spears came up against the Persians, the troops of the Great King would lose. ❋ Philip Freeman (2011)

The deadly sarissa formation of the Macedonians would be useless as they tried to climb from the riverbed to the open ground beyond. ❋ Philip Freeman (2011)

Standard hoplite spears were eight to ten feet in length, but the sarissa was almost eighteen feet long. ❋ Philip Freeman (2011)

With their speed and maneuverability, well-armed horsemen could be an effective counter to the Macedonian foot soldiers and their sarissa spears. ❋ Philip Freeman (2011)

If even one infantryman swung his sarissa too far to the left or right, the whole line would become hopelessly tangled. ❋ Philip Freeman (2011)

The answer lay in a brilliant innovation developed by Philip—the sarissa. ❋ Philip Freeman (2011)