Thexyston(Ancient Greek:ξυστόν"spear,javelin;pointed or spiked stick, goad), was a type of a long thrusting spear inancient Greece.It measured about 3.5 to 4.25 m (11 to 14 ft) long and was probably held by the cavalryman with both hands, although the depiction ofAlexander the Great's xyston on theAlexander MosaicinPompeii(see figure), suggests that it could also be used single handed. It had a wooden shaft and a spear-point at both ends. Possible reasons for the secondary spear-tip were that it acted partly as a counterweight and also served as a backup in case the xyston was broken in action. The xyston is usually mentioned in context with thehetairoi(ἑταῖροι), the cavalry forces of ancientMacedon.After Alexander the Great's death, thehetairoiwere namedxystophoroi(ξυστοφόροι,"spear-bearers" ) because of their use of the xystonlance.In his Greek-writtenBellum Judaicum,theJewishhistorianFlavius Josephususes the termxystonto describe theRomanthrowing javelin, thepilum.
The xyston was wielded either underarm or overarm, presumably as a matter of personal preference. It was also known, especially later, as thekontos;meaning literally "barge-pole"; the name possibly originated as a slang term for the weapon.
It is made ofcornelwood.[1]The recorded density is 51.5 lbs per cubic foot (825 kg/m3), or 0.03 lb per cubic inch (0.83 g/cm3).[1]
Cornus mas,also known as the Cornelian cherry, is common in the wood mountains that surround Macedonia, ranging from areas in the Balkans and into Syria; some specific locations areMt. Olympus,Phthiotis, Aetolia,Arcadia,Laconis.[1]
This cornel wood was used for the spear, because of its elasticity and hardness, making it very durable and a good material for spears, javelins, andbows.[1]The cornel wood was effective compared to other woods, for uses such as these.[1]The wood, despite being used for a spear that was so long, was able to withstand the weight of itself; it was tough enough to not need thickness to balance the weight of its length, while still maintaining its elasticity.[1]
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edit- Markle, Minor M.(1977)."The Macedonian Sarissa, Spear, and Related Armor".American Journal of Archaeology.81(3): 323–339.doi:10.2307/503007.ISSN0002-9114.JSTOR503007.S2CID192966553.
- LSJ-ξυστόνfrom verbal adjectiveξυστός,which is in turn derived from the verbξύω(shave, scrape).