Quote Originally Posted by Jerby
no more leafe shaped swords? NO!!!!!.
the early gladius was leaf shaped and so were greek sword i believe...pitty
anybody got a source? and EB members got an answer?

Here are the shapes of the main gladius types (there are others....).

Hoplite shortswords from earlier times (500BC) are what you are refering to as "leaf-shaped greek sword"....though they might have been used till much later...

Here´s an interesting discussion for you and a an overall nice site...

Greek Swords, 500 BC

Hellenistic swords in this time must have been either longer for hoplites(Iphikatrean reforms) or more like a large knife for most of the Pikemen.

Quote Originally Posted by Jerby
concerning throwing the spear: the site below the picture states

"The spear which was used by the hoplites of the Spartan infantry. The Spartan soldiers relied heavily on their long spears .The spear could either be thrown, or used in hand combat. It was usually thrown before engaging the enemy with swords.
Excellent realistic feeling
Length : 8 ft. (2,45 m)"
Spartans used the classical hoplite, probably all the way to the 3rd century, when they are said to have been rearmed as pikeman (in the Macedonian style) in the reign of Cleomenes III.....before, as far as I know, they used an overhand thrusting spear, of about 2.5m so at least the length is about right.

Although Spartans were reputed as good sword fighters, their main weapon was the spear, so I doubt they would discard it like that (I can´t think of any source that states that they threw it). Throwing spears were used by line infantry but in much earlier Greek history, AFAIK. Akontistai, Peltastai (rearmed light hoplites), Ekdromoi, Thorakitai and Thureophoroi took the role of throwing missiles on the enemy line in later history.