specifics in Spear fighting combat

[Sean Manning]

Hello all ...

I have been looking for articles or books detailing specific fighting techniques for an ancient greek hoplite. but, i have yet to find any. I know that when a spear-tip was broken, then the hoplite would generally draw his short sword and fight as such. But, id imagine that he would have a very specific and precise spear fighting style to get the brittle tip into flesh as opposed to breaking it against armor.

The spear tip wasnt all that great for piercing armor, but it was great at cutting and making huge, gaping wounds. So, i was wondering if there was a specific fighting style archived somewhere that could help me out. Im more interested in re-enacting combat, both group and one on one. So i want my fighting style to be as close as possible to what was period.

Ive found through practice that its quite easy to get in a neckthrust, and maybe an upper thigh. but im sure that there is more than that. Help, anyone? please?

The appropriate martial art was called hoplomachia ("fully armed combat") and it seems that some studied it and some didn't. I think Plato complained that it distracted men from learning to stand in the line and protect their comrades. So at least down to the 5th century or so, I personally suspect that most hoplites had minimal martial arts training, just like I suspect most knew just enough drill to form line and column, march forward, and charge! On the other hand, some Greeks would have been very good with aspis and dory.