The difference between a xiphos and a makhaira

[jan]

Alexander is said to use a xiphos while fighting on horseback. Regular cavalrymen are said to use a makhaira. What is the difference between these two types of spears?

[stavros]

'Xiphos' is a Sword in greek. 'Maxaira' in todays form you would be referring to a butchers knife or a machete. 'Maxairi' is a knife, and 'Maxaira' is something a lot thicker, heavier. that is my understanding of the difference. i doubt alex conquered the east using a butchers knife

[ruthaki]

I've you've read Steven Pressfield's "Gates of Fire" he refers often to the xiphos. And by the way, it's one of the best historical fiction books to date that I've ever read!

[beausefaless]

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[jan]

Thanks, I appreciate your answers. I read it in the Frank Holt book as he made the assertion that Alexander used the xiphos rather than the usual calvaryman's makhaira, so I gathered that there was a difference of importance between the two. I am glad that it is clarified now as to what it is, as cutting the spinal cord makes a lot of sense and explains a lot for me.Yes, Ruth, I did read Gates of Fire, and I love that book. Steve Pressfield is a great author, and I like most of his books, despite his being very graphic in the gory stuff. Some of his descriptions seem to be vying with Michael Curtis Ford for how horrific they can be.I did read Virtues of War through at a rapid pace, but have slowed down and have gotten stalled halfway through it yet. I still haven't finished my second reading of it, so am not able to review it yet. He has had some really great outstanding reviews written for the newspapers, and I have read those. I just do not believe that it lives up to any of his former books, and that is sad but true.Especially since it is about Alexander for which I had hoped for better than his usual. He just didn't achieve his goal with me believing that this is Alexander.

[agesilaos]

The makhaira is more akin to the Ghurka kukri and is illustrated many times on Greek vases and in the mosaic of the lion hunt from Pella the figure often identified as Alexander is wielding one.

[jan]

I have to apologize for this as I realize that the author did go to great lengths in the paragraph immediately preceding the one that discusses the fact that Alexander used on by explaining that the xiphos is a double-edged sword compared to the single-edged sword that is the machaira. These pages are 120 and 121 of the paperback book, and it is my error as I was not trying to be cute in asking this. I had just overlooked it, but found it after rereading the passage, and looking it up in the Great Book dictionary. Not quite like the excalibur, maybe, but close, huh?

[beausefaless]

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[jan]

Thanks, I really appreciate that explanation. It has been said that Leonidas treated Alexander in a manner quite similar to the Spartans. I find that fascinating information about that particular sword, and really enjoyed this discussion.