Pike (weapon)
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A pike is a long thrusting spear formerly used in European warfare from the Late Middle Ages and most of the early modern period, and wielded by foot soldiers deployed in pike square formation, until
A modern recreation of a mid-17th century company of pikemen. By that period, pikemen would primarily defend their unit's musketeers from enemy cavalry.
Re-enactment during the 2009 Escalade in Geneva.
First rank with pikes at "charge for horse" static defensive posture, ready to draw swords if needed. Second rank holding their pikes at "charge" for delivering thrusts.
First rank with pikes at "charge" (their points projecting forward from the formation front), second rank holding pikes at "port" (upward to avoid injuring front rank friendlies with their points). In real action first 3 – 4 ranks will hold their pikes at "charge", and those behind will hold weapons at "port".
Phalanx
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The phalanx was a rectangular mass military formation, usually composed entirely of heavy infantry armed with spears, pikes, sarissas, or similar polearms tightly packed together. The term is used tod
Sumerian phalanx-like formation c. 2400 BC, from detail of the victory stele of King Eannatum of Lagash over Umma, called the Stele of the Vultures
A modern illustration of the Greek hoplites marching in a phalanx formation
Phalanx in a frieze on the tomb of Pericles, Dynast of Lycia (380–360 BC)
Greek phalanx against Achaemenid troops