09-03-2010, 01:40 PM
From reading various posts in many different topics it seems that the general consensus on the coupling sleeve found by Andronicos is that is was not a device used to connect together two halves of shaft to make a full sarissa. And I agree with that, I do not think it was used in that way. So if it wasn't used as a sleeve to connect two parts of shaft to make a sarissa then what was it used for?
I've been curious about this as everyone who writes about the sarissa comments on the sleeve, as one would expect, but those that reject its use in forming the sarissa never give their theory of what it might be. One thing that popped in my mind was that this could possibly be used as a counter-weight that simply wrapped around the rear of the sarissa, being flush with the back end. This would help to balance the sarissa and wouldn't have the negative features of the typical (sharp) butt-spike; i.e. it would eliminate the threat of being speared by your buddy in front of you. I realize there is no visual or literary evidence for this type of butt-spike but it is at least an atractive theory (in my mind) and the sleeve clearly belonged to something.
What does everyone else think?
I've been curious about this as everyone who writes about the sarissa comments on the sleeve, as one would expect, but those that reject its use in forming the sarissa never give their theory of what it might be. One thing that popped in my mind was that this could possibly be used as a counter-weight that simply wrapped around the rear of the sarissa, being flush with the back end. This would help to balance the sarissa and wouldn't have the negative features of the typical (sharp) butt-spike; i.e. it would eliminate the threat of being speared by your buddy in front of you. I realize there is no visual or literary evidence for this type of butt-spike but it is at least an atractive theory (in my mind) and the sleeve clearly belonged to something.
What does everyone else think?
Scott B.
