javelins too weak?

[Slaists]

Javelins seens balanced for me! If Akontistai were phalanx killers generals would have never created Peltastai and Thureophoroi, they would stick to the cheaper unit.

I feel, akondistai and the likes are balanced fine as far as attacking armored/shielded foes from the front is concerned. However, I do not find it realistic that 120 men cannot score more than a couple kills while, at point blank range, throwing javelins into unprotected BACKS of 120 men who are frontally engaged with another unit. In reality, you'd have to try really hard to MISS in such a situation...