 If front-rankers were killed, those behind would lower their spears and step forward to maintain a solid front.In the event of close combat, or in circumstances where the "sarissa" was impractical, a variety of swords were employed - the classic "xiphos", the "kopis" and the "makhaira", for example.It goes without saying that any sword-fighting in the vicinity of the phalanx's front was complicated by the "sarissai" projecting from the 2nd-5th ranks around the 1st rank combatants.