Is the Short Sword and Shield Overrated?

[rrgg]

No, the reason why most warriors carried them is because it's loads cheaper than a sword. Making a spear point is many times easier and quicker than making a sword. If the spear was a superb weapon, than why did the lower class celtic warriors carry spears, while the nobility used swords?

Those that could only afford spears used only spears, those who could afford swords and armor would carry swords as a secondary weapon yet still almost always grabbed a sturdy spear before going into battle.