Sarissa \'Coupling Sleeve\'

[hoplite14gr]

The “Hetairoi” reconstructed initially based on the Vergina findings and measurements of the metallic parts as given in the translated version of late professor Andrinikos
One sarissa was made with the broad big blade found in Philips tomb but the other was made with a narrower blade found in Edessa and exhibited in the Thessloniki museum.
The lower part has 28 mm diameter and tuppers to the “metal coupler”
The second part tuppers even more (19 mm but lessens as it reaches the point)
Total length over 5 meters
I had tried the “broad blade” version in Heunerburg 2009 and I found it an “unwielding beast”
I was also worried about the stability of the coupler but it mostly pscychological
Personally I do not think that this was the sarissa of the time.
The big point was creating balancing problems and the more experienced members of the club thought the same as I though that my problems might be because of my beginners fears over the weapon.

In Gabretta 2010 I tried the narrower blade and most balancing problems were absent.
It took me two days to handle the basics. I believe previous military and de-enacting experience
helped me a lot. I estimate you need 4 days to get over the intimidating size of the weapon
http://s197.photobucket.com/albums/aa16 ... C04403.jpg
http://s197.photobucket.com/albums/aa16 ... C04412.jpg
The "coupler" at least in the specimen I used does not need nail holes. Wood was secured firmly in the metal part. Is is possible that rust made the holes to disappear in the original. This has been observed in other iron findings so it is not unlikely.
A third planned sarissa is going to have holes for security nails (perone) but I have stopped worrying about the stability of the coupler

The heavy bat spike helps a lot in handling the "beast".
The picking it up and marching was a bit difficult initially but I insisted to overcome the natural fear of the long pole over my head.
I started advance boldly and confidently.
You cannot move very fast with the sarissa held in a vertical position.
Jogging was tried only for the experience but is risky and you can be unbalanced with unpleasant consequences but a very fast step is possible.
You can move very fast even jog with the sarissa carried in two pieces.

I found the shield (made in the approximate Vegora measurement) a great help in counter balancing
I tried to use the sarissa shoulder height like medieval Swiss and synaspismos was not possible both with hoplite or phalangite shield.

The drill to execute the “proptosis” (sarissa leveling) is done with the sauroter touching the ground.
It helps a lot. The phalanx might have been at its most volunerable at that time.
Its tough to handle but once you get used to it no problem at all.
The upper part can make a very heavy spear in case of an emergency but I would not be happy fighting hoplites with it and the “pelta-shield”.
I could advance rapidly walking at a fast pace and I could dog for less than ten meters with the leveled sarissa.
I found the "alilalai" war-cry as a way of setting your pace in the the last 3 meters before contact -specially if charging on the double.
It must have scared the wits out of the opposition I guess.

The wood pole stress test is going to happen in a couple years when I will own my own specimen and I can destroy it if I please.

I had tried the 16th century pike but it was a item made for a film and I consider my conclusions on it not very reliable.
It did not gave me the same fear "that is would fall on my head" though as the macedonian sarissa did.
Kind regards