11-24-2005, 07:01 PM
Quote:I agree with those that say that an 18 foot spear would be useless held in one hand.
Lately, I have been noticing a few examples of Aspis, photos and ancient art, that have a notch in both sides. It looks to me like it could be used as a spear rest. Perhaps interlocking from two men side by side. Can anyone comment on that?
Even with shorter spears, I have a hard time imagining how hoplites could maintain a threatening phalanx with a shield and a spear, unless there was some way to really stabilize the spears and apply force behind them. Otherwise, the tips could be knocked aside with ease.
Yes, they could, but the wielder could as easily avoid the beat attack on his spear shaft and, in a phalanx, you'd be effectively facing up to eight spear points, rather than one; beating one aside merely gives you the opportunity to advance onto another.
