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GCSE History · key term
A long Macedonian pike held with both hands, giving infantry greater reach than soldiers armed with shorter spears.
Used by OCR
Paper 1
Revise: Composition, Weapons and Armour of the Macedonian ArmyA Macedonian phalanx was commonly sixteen ranks deep. Its main weapon was the sarissa, a long pike described as roughly 5–7 metres long. Several front ranks lowered their pikes towards the enemy, creating overlapping spear points ahead of the front line.
Link equipment to its purpose: the sarissa gave reach, but required two hands, affecting how the shield was carried.
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