Taming the “beast”. The modern sarissa experienceStefanos Skarmintzos

“I have never seen before something more terrible than the Macedonian phalanx”Plutarch “Life of Aemilius Paulus”

The introduction of the extra long spear known as the pike (sarissa) is attributed to the Macedonianking Philip II. While ancient sources (Polybius) describe the length and the construction materials ofthe weapon they do not enlighten us as to the details of its use. The accumulated experience based onthe research of living history clubs that used pikes like those existing in the 15th to 17th centuries mightnot exactly simulate the condition in antiquity because the re-enactors used on piece solid shafts whilethe ancient pikes were composed of two parts according to the archaeological record.

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At the moment, as far as I know there are only four reconstructed versions of the Macedonian sarissa:One in Oakland University, (N. Zealand) one in Athens war Museum and two are owned by theGerman living history Association “HETAIROI”. From the two versions in Germany one hasa Vergina type leafshaped point and the other the narrower Vegora point. Under the excellent guidanceof Mr. Kurt Schraouder, from the “HETAIROI”, I learned to operate properly and safely this particularweaponThe first part of the training session had to do with me learning to assemble properly the two parts ofthe weapon. The weight is considerable compared to the spear and a careless move could result ininjury from falling weapon parts. It is strongly advised that assembling and disassembling the weaponshould be done with extreme caution.

The sarissa is transported on the right shoulder with the pieces parallel to each other taking care to havethe butt spike forward and the point looking backwards. In order to assemble the weapon we carefullyplace the two parts vertically to the ground so that the butt spike is pinned on the soil. Then we turnboth pieces in a 45 degree angle to the ground and by holding steady the part with the butt spike weslide the part with the point so as to put it in the interior of the metal joint and secure it properly.We then raise again the sarissa vertically to the ground. It is advised the first time we do that tomaintain this position for some time so as to overcome the instinctive fear that the point will fall on us.(!) I suspect that on this stage the ancient drill instructors would have carefully inspected the weaponsof the raw recruits in order to avoid possible accidents..

The next moves were turning left and right. To accomplish this, the sarrisa was lifted with both handsabout ten cm from the ground and the action was performed. When after some time I stopped cling onthe shaft my instructor told me to lower the sarissa vertically to the ground. The light breeze passingthough the joints produced a sound that was unnerving to me but as time passed my stress was reduced.I was more relieved thought when the instructor told me to set the weapon parallel to the ground.

A man can turn the leveled weapon around in front of him, in a space 70 degrees wide, but this isunlikely that is could be done in the confines of the closed formation of the phalanx. The advance isperformed with short steps forward and as the trainee is gradually accustomed to the weapon a light jogcan be performed for roughly twenty meters.I cannot say for certain if the ancient pike men run greater distance. I noticed that all my actions weremore easily performed when I had the shield (like a counterweight) slang on my shoulder and the finsof the butt spike ease the weapon movements significantly. According to me the Vegora type point is amore correct reconstruction as it weighs less and makes the piercing attempt easier. I believe myexperience is incomplete as I have not yet tight pikes-formation experience.Special thanks to my friends of the German living history Association “HETEROI” for their kind helpand support in this project.

All pictures are courtesy of the Living History Association “HETEROI” except otherwise stated.