Xyston
The Xyston is a long thrusting weapon of Ancient Greece, 12 feet of impaling agony. It was the Mid-Range weapon of Alexander the Great. A similar weapon known as the dory was one of the Medium-Range weapons of the Spartan.
Description
The Xyston was a 12-foot long spear or lance with a wooden shaft and a metallic spearhead. On the opposite end of the shaft was a tapering butt spike used to counterbalance the weapon.
Stats
- 12 feet
- 7 lbs
- Wood and Iron
Uses
The Xyston was probably used two-handed, although the image of Alexander the Great wielding a xyston one-handed appears on the Alexander Mosaic in Pompeii. It is typically associated with the hetairoi, the cavalry forces of Macedon.
The Xyston was designed to be more offensive than the dory, which was fitting for Alexander who was more of an imperialistic conqueror while Spartans focused on defending their nation. Pikes similar to the Xyston dominated medieval warfare and in some armies were more common than the sword, especially since swords required more steel and money to make than the Xyston.
The Sarissa was a similar pike; but was only used by Macedonian hoplites (Phalangite) as they were too heavy for cavalry.
Both the Sarissa and Xyston has a counterweight on its butt end; similar to the Persian spears it faced. However it was long and narrow to allow the spear to anchor itself into the ground; giving the hoplite more power to resist enemy cavalry charges.
An Aspis was too heavy to use along with a Xyston or Sarissa, so a lighter Pelta Shield was used by Macedonian Hoplites.