Odd question

[LordCurlyton]

How would a phalangite have marched? I imagine a sarissa would have been mighty unwieldy/uncomfortable to lug around on the march. What would they have worn when not expecting an imminent battle?
Just curious, any answers are appreciated.

[Batahr]

I remember reading somewhere that when marching, the sarissa was carried in two pieces, and had to be assembled before battle.

[Arkatreides]

Indeed, a sarissa could be split into two pieces with a metal coupling link or collar linking the two. This was not only useful for marching but also added to the strength of the sarissa, improved balance and allowed replacements and repairs on it to be done more easily.

[LordCurlyton]

Even so, would not the two pieces have been of not-inconsiderable length? Or is the point moot and the sarissa parts were carried via pack animals?

[Watchman]

Later pikemen in any case simply carried theirs over the shoulder. And, yes, it was a major pain in the arse; a recurring issue was troopers surrpetiously shortening their pike-shafts for lightness and comfort, which could turn out rather badly in action...

[pezhetairoi]

Ah, soldiers through the ages are all the same. Today my colleagues in the army attempt to get lighter loads by ensuring the water canteens slung on their webbings are empty, which creates consequences in quite a different but no less lethal way from the sarissae...