Each phalangite carried as his primary weapon a
sarissa, a double-pointed
pike over 6 m (18 ft) in length. The weight of the sarissa is unknown, as no surviving examples have been found, but modern reconstructions have shown that a 5.8 m pike could weigh no more than 4.05 kg (9 lb). At close range such large weapons were of little use, but an intact phalanx could easily keep its enemies at a distance. The weapons of the first five rows of men all projected beyond the front of the formation, so that there were more spear points than available targets at any given time. Men in rows behind the initial five angled their spears at a 45-degree angle in an attempt to ward off arrows or other projectiles. The secondary weapon was a shortsword called a
xiphos. The phalangites also had a smaller and flatter shield than that of the Greek
aspis, measuring about 24 inches and weighing about 12 pounds. The shield, called a "
telamon", was made of bronze plated wood and was worn hung around the neck so as to free up both hands to wield the
sarissa. All of the armor and weaponry a phalangite would carry totaled about 40 pounds, which was close to 10 pounds less than the weight of Greek hoplites' equipment. == Formation ==