Weight and grip of sarissa and shield in macedonian phalanx

[Paralus]

I disagree, the main point it that the spears are going from pointing up to pointing forward- the point dropping forward. How the hand moves that is dropping the point forward- its moving up as the point falls- is irrelevent. The dory in fact pivots forward at its balance point, not raising much at all above the height of the shoulder. [...] hoplites often seem to have carried the spear resting on their shoulder at the balance point, about 1/3 up from the base, by holding it on or near the sauroter. In this position it can be "lowered" and held underhand, but the five feet or so of spear jutting up from the shoulder can also be "lowered" by dropping it forward into the overhand position. Probably the most important thing is that spears that are sticking up and back move to facing forwards, not the exact drop in elevation of where the spear is held.

Well that last might well be correct but I think we're overcomplicating what appears a simple statement. The spears are ordered to be rested upon the right shoulder and then at the signal, lowered for the charge. You would suggest that the hoplite rested his spear - point up - against his shoulder (collarbone). That being so, the only logical position for the spear to wind up is underhand. The hoplite holds his spear - fingers to front and thumb behind - and at the signal allows it to swing forward by rotating the hand. It is now held underhand as shown in the artwork above. Some single handed gymnastics then need to apply so as to transfer the spear to an overhand grip.

For it to function the other way, the spear must be rested against the shoulde point down. This would clearly result in raising the spear rather than lowering it though.

I'd suggest that, in a classic hoplite "set piece", the order will have been to close up with spears in the overhand position before marching to contact. This, though, is not the Boeotian plain in Greece: the hoplites have crossed a ravine and are about to assualt an enemy uphill from them. They are not walking but "charging" the enemy position implying, as Paullus notes, a run. In the end the enemy flees and it becomes a pursuit.