AG-84 SARISSOPHÓROS PEZETAÍROS, 331 BC

The Macedonian phalanx was a specific development of the Greek phalanx and appeared on the battlefields of Hellas in the 4th century BC thanks to the king of Macedonia - Philip II, father of Alexander the Great. The ruler decided to equip the soldiers of his phalanx with long spears (Greek: sarisa), the length of which might have been up to 5-6 meters. As such a long weapon of the wheel had to be held with both hands, it also reduced the size of the shield, which began to be slung over the neck or over the shoulder. Other defensive armaments - especially soldiers standing further in the phalanx - were also reduced. At the same time, great emphasis was placed on the best possible training of phalanx soldiers and their high morale, which elements made it possible to fight even a much larger opponent. It is assumed that the basic unit in the field was a dungeon consisting of 16 soldiers, and 16 dungeons constituted one syntagma (thus consisting of 256 soldiers). The quality of the Macedonian phalanx is evidenced by its achievements, for example, in the battle of Cheronea (338 BC) or Gaugamela (331 BC).