How much weight is the second degree of spearmen bearing? That angle looks to be 45 degrees, 20 feet of shaft, and a spearhead of 2-3 pounds. Must be exhausting for their back and shoulders.
If made from ash those spears would have been under 10lbs.
Also the spear tips were probably not that heavy. 5" long made from iron and diamond shaped to pierce armor.
They have found metal butt ends for them to counteract weight of the spear tip. If they counterbalanced the spear correctly it would take very little effort to hold it in position.
Quite a bit, I’m sure. I know that when enemies weren’t near, phalangites would raise their spears upward and plant the butt into the ground as a resting position.
They were pretty ridiculous as far as spears go. They hold them with both hands too because they are so long. They had to use smaller shields and there was some evidence of neck straps to hold the shield on their shoulder allowing a two hand grip
How much weight is the second degree of spearmen bearing? That angle looks to be 45 degrees, 20 feet of shaft, and a spearhead of 2-3 pounds. Must be exhausting for their back and shoulders.
If made from ash those spears would have been under 10lbs.
Also the spear tips were probably not that heavy. 5" long made from iron and diamond shaped to pierce armor.
They have found metal butt ends for them to counteract weight of the spear tip. If they counterbalanced the spear correctly it would take very little effort to hold it in position.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarissa
Quite a bit, I’m sure. I know that when enemies weren’t near, phalangites would raise their spears upward and plant the butt into the ground as a resting position.
They were pretty ridiculous as far as spears go. They hold them with both hands too because they are so long. They had to use smaller shields and there was some evidence of neck straps to hold the shield on their shoulder allowing a two hand grip