Reddit reviews Warfare in the Classical World: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Weapons, Warriors, and Warfare in the Ancient Civilizations of Greece and Rome

If we're talking ancient and medieval warfare, then it's a vast subject. I'm not sure I'd recommend one book to encapsulate it all, but some good places to start would be:

Warfare in the Classical World by John Warry

Greece and Rome at War by Peter Connolly

Warfare in Medieval Europe c.400-c.1453 by Bernard S. Bachrach and David Bachrach

Medieval Military Technology by Kelly DeVries and Robert Douglas Smith

From those, you'll inevitably find more specific periods and peoples that you'll want more focused works.

I write a bit about it on my website as well, but it's by no means exhaustive. It's just what I have time/desire to cover.

The spear, pike, halberd, when not used in a phalanx are typically best suited against cavalry/horse based combatants. The typical Roman foot soldier (legionnaire) would be using either gladius or spatha, in conjunction with a scutum, which was a devestating combination that not only enabled great versatility in melee combat, but also against ranged (especially when implementing formations like the Testudo).

Now, the Greeks, as you mentioned, used a shield more similar to the Parma (I don't know if it has a unique name, if it does, I can't recall it), which while wide, did not offer the mobility and formative nature of the Scutum. And while they did use weapons like the Xiphos, it was secondary to the Dory, a long, thrusting spear. Great if your opponent is further away, but quite the liability in close quarters.

The point I'm trying to make is that it may be less about the sword vs. spear debate in the Romans vs. Greeks that you put forward, and more, shield vs. shield.

Spears would long have a place in warfare, but you cannot have an army made up exclusively of them, same goes for sword and ranged.

Some sources for historical warfare and weaponry.

A good little website for quick references, I've found their stuff to be accurate and best of all, free
http://www.ancientmilitary.com/roman-weapons.htm

http://www.ancientmilitary.com/spartan-weapons.htm

Required reading:

Peter Connolly - Greece and Rome at War (1981)

https://openlibrary.org/books/OL693053M/Greece_and_Rome_at_war

Most of my knowledge on Roman and Greek warfare and weaponry has come from this book. I've attached an Amazon link for the book, and you may want to hop(lite) on it as I'm not sure if it is still in print.

Peter Connolly is a great author, and has produced numerous books, across a variety of topics, but his main focus was Greco-Roman history.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Connolly

The Cambridge History of Greek and Roman Warfare
http://www.cambridge.org/ca/academic/subjects/classical-studies/ancient-history/cambridge-history-greek-and-roman-warfare-volume-1

Now, the above book is expensive. Like college textbook expensive, but it really is comprehensive and is directly related to the topic at hand. I can't think of a better resource out there. Obvious Cassius Dio has a wealth of knowledge in there, but it covers far more than combat, and is more useful as a source on the politics.

I tried to google a cheaper alternative and found http://www.amazon.com/Warfare-Classical-World-Encyclopedia-Civilizations/dp/0806127945/ref=cm_lmf_tit_1

I haven't read it myself, but it has received positive response, and it sounds like there is a heavily illustrated one out there as well.

EDIT: Forgot about the Amazon rule, apologies. Removed the link and changed it to an openlibrary link. To those interested though, Greece and Rome at War is available on Amazon.com and is worth picking up.

Machinima aside, if you ever want a fantastic resource for ancient warfare, strategy and history check out Warfare in the Classical World by John Warry. It covers everything from the siege of Troy, Alexander the Great and the entirety of classical Rome up to its height. It's a pretty good read too with plenty of illustrations showing off ancient arms, armor, heavy equipment and tactics.

The major battle was the Battle of the Granicus which was the first major battle against the Persians. In reality a large part of the army was likely Ionian (eastern coast of the Aegean) Greeks.

The Asia Minor campaign is completed before the Battle of Issus, which occurs in modern Syria. I would also say its the period between his movement to gain a foothold in Asia, in an area with a large Greek and by association friendly population, into his campaign to essentially deny the Persians access to the Mediterranean. Where he goes through Judea, sieges Tyre, into Eqypt and founds Alexandria before setting off into Persia proper (Media).

A Couple Sources:
Wikipedia ,
Greece and Rome at War - Peter Connolly, Warfare in the Classical World - John Warry

Both those books are usually available at the Library. If you are actually interested in the subject they are worth the money to buy. Easy to read and with fantastic illustrations to help bring the descriptions into reality.