Prodromoi

[Duncan Head]

The Prodromoi in Alexander's army were armed with the sarissai(the infantry pike). Would they have used a 2 handed grip like the infantry? It would be almost impossible to use the sarissai with one hand. Any thoughts..?
Johnny

We think the prodromoi carried the sarissa because they are also called sarissophoroi. We think the Kinch tomb figure may be a prodromos because he is unarmoured and has a long spear; but it's not certain. Among other things the tomb's date is disputed, it could be too late to be an Alexandrian prodromos.

If they did have a true sarissa, these varied in length; the minimum length was 10 cubits, or about 15 feet, and it is possible, but speculative, that this was the length of the prodromoi's weapon, a bit shorter than the normal infantry sarissa. In JRMES 11 (2000) Peter Connolly documented experiments in which a 10-cubit sarissa was used successfully from horseback in one hand.

cheers,
Duncan