it really depends on which type of spear you are talking about. the spear that the spartans and the other greeks used were about 6-7 ft. long and were used as a thrusting weapon and sometimes a slashing weapon. the spear that the macedonians used, called sarissas, were 19 ft. long and were only used as a thrusting weapon. the greek spear could be wielded with one hand and a shield with the other. the macedonians had to use two hands and the shields were strapped to thier arms.