Weight and grip of sarissa and shield in macedonian phalanx

[PMBardunias]

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.

The point is still resting point up. It is difficult to picture or describe, but real easy to do in practice. You start out holding the spear in any way you wish. When you want to raise it, you swivel around the hand so that the index finger is pointing down to the sauroter, palm up supporting the shaft, thumb to the outside, fingers inside. Since the spear is resting on your shoulder this is pretty secure. Then you simply drop the hand until the spear shaft falls forward and clears your head. The arm now moves out and up pivoting mostly at the elbow and is raised into an overhand position. I think Stephanos has video of them doing this. It is very easy and there is no fumbling or grip changing. Try this with a broom-stick- its simple.

There are variations on this theme. One, which can be done in close order, involves raising the arm straight up until the sauroter clears your shoulder, then letting it fall forward as you twist the wrist forwards. The grip is less secure because at one stage you can only hold it with thumb and forefinger, but it works well. Try it, play around. maybe you'll come up with something new.