User:Theboeksplein/sandbox

Answers to Module 7 Questions
My Media is a non-existent piece of work that hasn't been created yet, as I feel limited in what I can create. I am lost as to what more can be done, beyond the existing image of the spear. The article being about a specific thing, doesn't scream endless options for other media to be created. When I eventually discover what I will create, it would be an image JPEG, drawn by my hand, with no restrictions and anyone can use it with citing me as the creator. It will be a part of the History category, Greece as well, and will be described as simply as it is presented.

Draft
Applications

Alexander The Great, a known historical figure, formally created the ‘Foot Companions’, also known as the pezetairoi, and his father, Phillip, forged them into fearsome fighters. The group wielded the 13-14 feet long, tapered spear.The benefit of a larger spear, which, in comparison, normal infantry wielded spears had the length, gave Macedonians the opportunity to strike first.

In battle, the spear would be advantageous over the typical javelin. Persians, who are used to closer hand-to-hand combat, would not be able to survive against the Macedonian spear, xyston. It was due to javelins being suited for throwing at targets, while the spears were more advantageous.

Macedonia was in possession of a skilled cavalry, who were described to be “excellent horsemen” (Green, 2013 p. 18), who did not require traditional saddles or stirrups. These cavalry wielded the xyston, in order to fight while on their horse.

Gaebel (2002) outlined some applications in battle, in amongst his work. He evidenced, through Plutarch, that “the cavalry with Alexander, and Alexander himself, pressed vigorously, shoving the Persians and striking their faces with spears,” which shows that these spears were a violent means to assert dominance in battle. What he concludes, is that Cavalry men would use tactics to pierce the faces and upper bodies of enemies, a practical decision over legs and torsos.

Practicing Citations
1. This piece by Markle does detail the use of the word ‘sarissa’ instead of the word ‘xyston’, but it is inferred through the description of the lance and its applications that the author is referring to the xyston spear, “The Alexander Mosaic yields some important information… grasping his sarissa.” (Markle, 1977 p. 333)

2. This is another article, similar to the one before, that will assist in the section regarding the Macedonian Cavalry and the battle applications of the ‘xyston’.