[split] Phalanx warfare: use of the spear

[Giannis K. Hoplite]

Look at their shields, they are already interlocking, so probably the artist had a close combat in mind.

Besides, what you are describing as possible early hoplite combat is nowhere in the sources. Our best source (in my own opinion) about early archaic combat - Homer (ok there is Tyrtaios, but he's more limited), describes men in ranks, fighting in dense formations, some times coming out of them for duels, using spears that were possibly long, and could be thrown at any time, or not.
Yes, this could be a description of Mycenean combat, but it just as well applies to early hoplites.

And throwing your spear with which you fought overhand is also in the rennaisance manuals for spear and shield. It was meant to be a surprize.