This chapter deals with the optical properties of elongated metallic nanoparticles. Metal nanostructures in general interact strongly with the electromagnetic radiation. This interaction can cause the collective excitation of free carriers, leading to the so-called localized surface plasmon resonances, but also induce electronic transitions of bound electrons from occupied to empty bands, and additionally scattering, as free carriers in the nanostructure are accelerated and start radiating. We will analyze both the far field and the near field behavior of metal nanoparticles, and how this is influenced by the nanoparticle size and especially by its shape. Our focus will be clearly on rods and wires and we will highlight both experimental and theoretical/computational approaches. The chapter will additionally touch aspects related to ultrafast electron dynamics in these systems and will give a brief overview on applications …