Quote Originally Posted by saka-rauka1 View Post
Doesn't seem like there was any way to use a spear in the conditions described here. A spear's principle advantage is reach, which you don't have anymore; add to that the fact that they apparently broke often, and it seems that carrying one instead of a sword would just be ridiculous.
A spear's principle is defensive ability, people stab themselves while they are trying to reach you, then you come to swords. You are pointing out your vision of spears, sarissas were perfect steam-rolling/mass-murdering weapons because people stabbed themselves while charging and they couldn't escape if being pushed.

You carried both. Close combat was always present, even as a phalangite, you would die if you were dumb enough to carry a spear only. Spears are used at the first stage of combat, when the enemy charges against your line; and of course, when swords would be useless. Such as... Say... When you are covered witha huge hoplon... you can use spears without fear of getting hacked by a sword, and you also can kill other hoplites more easily.

~Jirisys ()