Doru Spear

By Crusader1307

The Doru Spear was the principle weapon of The Greek infantry of the 4th and 5th Centuries B.C. The shaft of The Doru is speculated to have been around 8 to 12 feet long and made of regional soft wood (to prevent breakage). Spear tips ranged in size (but not too much in basic design) – at 4 to 6 inches. Tapered, the Spearhead were edged on both fin sides. Made of bronze, a standard infantry soldier carried one. The Doru was a stabbing and thrusting weapon, with the actual throwing of the weapon a measure of last resort. When used as a “missile weapon”, it was deployed in great numbers and used to breakup an enemies charge. Borrowed by King Philip II (Macedon) – and later his son, Alexander (The Great), The Doru Spear grew in length to 20 feet and became the principle weapon of his Hoplite Infantry Units. This weapon, known as The Sarrisae, was the traditional device used in The Phalanx Tactic (made famous by him and later his Son). Although Doru shafts have rarely survived intact, many examples of their Spearheads have.