Sagaris

The Sagaris is a battle ax that was used in ancient times by riders.

Description and Use

The Sagaris was a long ax, which had a relatively small head and was performed with one hand. She was among other things used by riders, for which she was well suited due to their length and low weight. Back she had a long point, which you could use this weapon in all directions. On some paintings you can see that the Sagaris was also used by infantrymen. The cutting was with the Scythians still even, in the kingdom of the Persians, it was made ​​with crescent-shaped blade. It resembled the heavier Persian double ax.

History

Formation region of the Sagaris was the kingdom of the Scythians. The Scythian horsemen they used as an alternative or secondary weapon. In greater use came the Sagaris when the Persians took over the ax. During the Persian armies horsemen and foot soldiers were equipped with it. With Sagarisäxten armed warriors were especially successful against the spearmen of the Greeks, because this ax handier and more maneuverable than was often meter-long Greek spears. Against the campaigns of Alexander the Great, the axes were very effective for fast rider attacks and even almost cost him life as Plutarch writes. In the 2nd century BC, the Sagaris from the battlefields disappeared, possibly because they could not do anything more against the improved armor.

• Ax
• Military equipment ( Antiquity)