re: Game of Thrones S5E4 "Sons of the Harpy" (Bookish Types; SPOILERS)

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A spear is a terrible close quarters weapon. A lesser fighter with a small blade only has to dodge one lunge and it's game over.

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As the Romans learned when they went from the Greek hoplite model to the Legionary model - for a defensive force, the hoplon and spear (clearly the model for the Unsullied are the Spartans - albeit a little less heavily armored) is fine and, with proper discipline, can make a reasonably effective general infantry formation.

But, the shield and spear do not work in either more open or more restricted fighting spaces. The Spartans at their peak were bronze age and did carry a short thrusting sword, but these were secondary weapons to serve until a replacement spear could be secured.

The Romans, understanding the need to govern conquered cities AND the need to cover more frontage with the same number of infantry soldiers, went to the iron age model that is, ultimately, the model for all western infantry until gunpowder (and even then, the vestiges remain) - solid upper torso armor, relatively unencumbered limbs (protection at the joints) - solid shield and short thrusting sword - that works in formation, even with some open space, that works in one-on-one engagements. Short sword is fast, flexible and sturdy.

The reason knights fight with longer swords is that they're often mounted and a long sword, flail, long handled axe would be necessary to fight other riders or even infantry on the ground.