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Thread: Did the Macedonians use the phalanx underarm or overhead or both?

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  1. #1
    Thread killer Member Rodion Romanovich's Avatar
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    Default Re: Did the Macedonians use the phalanx underarm or overhead or both?

    I think the Macedonian sarissa was mostly underarm, because of it's weight and length. The greek phalanx was most certainly mainly overarm, because of the superior thrust power and speed it gives, especially with short spears. Overhand grip with high aim can also force the opponent to raise the shield so he can barely see anything, then you can quickly stab low. Underhand can seldom threaten the upper parts of the body, and you never need to block your own face and vision to block an underhand thrust. But with a long enough sarissa, the pike will be almost vertical even if you aim high with underhand grip, which gives good reach also for higher parts of the opponent such as the head, which can almost as effectively as short spear with overarm grip threaten the face etc. Most archaeological evidence also confirms that overhand was more common when short spears were used, while the macedonian phalanx was underhand.
    Last edited by Rodion Romanovich; 04-12-2006 at 15:32.
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  2. #2

    Default Re: Did the Macedonians use the phalanx underarm or overhead or both?

    thanks thats all i need!

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