The ''mesangylon'' ( el, μεσάγκυλον) was a

javelin A javelin is a light spear designed primarily to be thrown, historically as a ranged weapon, but today predominantly for sport. The javelin is almost always thrown by hand, unlike the sling, bow, and crossbow, which launch projectiles with th ...

with a strap ( el, ἀγκύλη) for throwing it by. Its name is attested, among others, in the works of Euripides,

Polybius Polybius (; grc-gre, Πολύβιος, ; ) was a Greek historian of the Hellenistic period. He is noted for his work , which covered the period of 264–146 BC and the Punic Wars in detail. Polybius is important for his analysis of the mixed ...

and

Arrian Arrian of Nicomedia (; Greek: ''Arrianos''; la, Lucius Flavius Arrianus; ) was a Greek historian, public servant, military commander and philosopher of the Roman period. ''The Anabasis of Alexander'' by Arrian is considered the best ...

. It is one of the weapons used in Alexander's experimental phalanx.Arrian 7.23

References

External links

* Perseus Greek Word Study Too

Ancient Greek military terminology Ancient Greek military equipment Ancient weapons Javelins Projectiles Throwing weapons {{Polearm-stub