07-07-2009, 12:51 AM
Quote:I would strongly disagree...if you place the simple dory, kamax/late dory, and sarissa side by side, the evolution and similarities are all too obvious. For parallel evolution as you describe, there would have to be a "non-tapered pike" as you describe, and there is no evidence I know of for such a beast. Furthermore, as Connolly has demonstrated and contra Markle, no such beast could exist, for a parallel shafted sarissa can barely be lifted !
Surely there was. It was either from Thrace or the Egyptian naval spears. Non-tapered two-handed spears were around all during the classical period. They were the large bladed hunting spears. I don't believe that Phillip invented the sarissa from whole cloth, but even then we would have to acknowledge some tradition of Homeric boarding pikes.
As to it being lifted, it was surely originally shorter than the later sarissa- say 14-16', something more than could be held with one hand.
Paul M. Bardunias
MODERATOR: [url:2dqwu8yc]http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat/viewtopic.php?t=4100[/url]
A Spartan, being asked a question, answered "No." And when the questioner said, "You lie," the Spartan said, "You see, then, that it is stupid of you to ask questions to which you already know the answer!"
MODERATOR: [url:2dqwu8yc]http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat/viewtopic.php?t=4100[/url]
A Spartan, being asked a question, answered "No." And when the questioner said, "You lie," the Spartan said, "You see, then, that it is stupid of you to ask questions to which you already know the answer!"
