specifics in Spear fighting combat

[hoplite14gr]

Homer Ilias 23rd Rapsody 131-133, 145-150 proves that by 8th centyry formed spearmen would stop welltrained aristocrats who cast javlines anc charged with swords.

A spear block as an offensive weapon is atttibuted to the Argive king Pheidon , 7th century B.C

The following steps should be perfomed exactly with this order:
1.Level spears (1st 2nd line)
2. Lock shields
3. Advance steadily. (It is important not to crouch behind your shield because you mess with the formation)
4. Take aim for the opponent to your right.
5. jog with the intent to crush upon them

Malee development.

If you can't kill the opponent to your right:
1. Guard yourself against incoming attacks from your right and shove
2. If you can try to cut with your sharp spear point the necks of the rear rankrers the idea is to hamper them pushing and aid the othismos of your fellow troopers at your right.
3. If your spear breaks you stab with the savrotir to your right. There is a good chance that you go past the opponents shields
4. If your comraids to your left give you edge in the above described ways and you find yourself in strike to your right.

The sword comes handy in 2 cases:
1. If you are a rear ranker who is forced to contact you have better chance with a sword because you can't level the spear in locked shields.
You can strike overarm again aiming to your right
example:
http://s254.photobucket.com/albums/hh84 ... 840026.jpg

2. If you are a rear ranker whose "stichos" pentrated in the enemy formation the sword or dagger is handier that the vertical spear you hold-
This is is a guide line if your opponent is Greek pahlanx.

If you face Persians after the sparabara are literally shoved out of action your sword is good for executing the archers.

Most probable extanded swords actions took place when the Athenian "Logadae" cleared the Sakas out of the Marthon forest.
It was fight between elite troops and it was a messy brutal bussiness.
Aischylos mentions it on his gravestone(!)
Kind regards