11-29-2007, 11:32 PM
The difference might be in the size of the "lump" of wood. Perhaps even the type. I'd imagine, for instance, that an archaeologist 2,000 years hence would have little difficulty recovering a railway sleeper.
As to Sarissae, I'm not completely convinced that what we think of as sarissa blades are that. I've had the view, for some time now, that the lighter iron points (not those denonstrably dory or hoplite and javelin points) were more likely the thing.
It seems definite that the but spike - at a kilo odd - is what it appears. The thing is, if one were to wield an eighteen foot cornelwood pole - sans iron - holding it with some two thirds or more protruding, it would be no mean task to "operate". Add a heavy blade and balance it with a lighter but spike, what does that add?
It had always struck me that the but spike, as counterweight, would be the heavier.
Know of any Macedonian bogs?
As to Sarissae, I'm not completely convinced that what we think of as sarissa blades are that. I've had the view, for some time now, that the lighter iron points (not those denonstrably dory or hoplite and javelin points) were more likely the thing.
It seems definite that the but spike - at a kilo odd - is what it appears. The thing is, if one were to wield an eighteen foot cornelwood pole - sans iron - holding it with some two thirds or more protruding, it would be no mean task to "operate". Add a heavy blade and balance it with a lighter but spike, what does that add?
It had always struck me that the but spike, as counterweight, would be the heavier.
Know of any Macedonian bogs?
Paralus|Michael Park
Ἐπὶ τοὺς πατέρας, ὦ κακαὶ κεφαλαί, τοὺς μετὰ Φιλίππου καὶ Ἀλεξάνδρου τὰ ὅλα κατειργασμένους
Wicked men, you are sinning against your fathers, who conquered the whole world under Philip and Alexander!
Academia.edu
Ἐπὶ τοὺς πατέρας, ὦ κακαὶ κεφαλαί, τοὺς μετὰ Φιλίππου καὶ Ἀλεξάνδρου τὰ ὅλα κατειργασμένους
Wicked men, you are sinning against your fathers, who conquered the whole world under Philip and Alexander!
Academia.edu
