Phalanx formation

A phalanx is a tightly-formed body of soldiers belonging to different ranks. These warriors join and support each other and fight with spears, halberds, and pikes. This formation is an extremely formidable one on both the defensive and the offensive. The phalanx formation has enabled the Greeks to pocket multiple victories. As already mentioned, a phalanx is a group of closely-packed soldiers. The number of soldiers depends on the terrain. Generally, there are 250 to over 500 soldiers in each phalanx. They use polearms. The initial rows point their spears horizontally. From the second row onward, the soldiers protrude their polearms vertically, but in intervals. They completely raise their weapons only after the last row has fully pointed their polearms upward. It will be a mistake to confuse phalanx with the tercios. Tercios formation has its origin in 16th century Spain. However, the tercios and the phalanx have some similarities. The phalanx formation was indeed effective. The cavalry would keep itself away from the sharp-headed forest of the phalanx.

They knew that the sharp steel weapons, protruding upward, would pierce them and their horses. The phalanx was thus an economical and anti-cavalry strategy. It protected the infantrymen from being brutally run down by the advancing cavalry. The Kataphrakts of Rhûn was the only cavalry in the Middle-earth that could face or combat the attacks of the phalanx. They were perfectly shielded with splendid and extravagant armor. To one's awe, the phalanx could successfully minimize or completely combat the effect of opposition's arrowheads. The vast area of vertically protruding spears could break the arrows and deflect them. The phalanx was thus a threat to the ranged-weapon dependent civilizations. You may count the Thranduil's Elves and the Galadhrim among these civilizations.

This is the most basic phalanx formation. In this type of phalanx, the first rank soldiers would kneel, holding their pikes at shoulder height. The next rank would also be on their knees and hold their pikes slightly higher. This order would continue till the last rank whose weapons would be at the highest level. Each rank of soldiers held their spears a bit higher than the previous one. Generally, a defensive phalanx consists of 3 rows of soldiers. Occasionally, there are a few extra rows. Almost all the armies of all the factions used the phalanx in the remarkable battles of Middle-earth. The reason being its higher degree of effectiveness and lethality against infantrymen or cavalry. Nothing could beat its unmatched strategy and layout. How was the defensive phalanx formation utilized across the ages? The defensive phalanx formation was repeatedly employed across ages.

The Nirnaeth Arnoediad is also known as the Battle of Unnumbered Tears. It took place in the first age. During this battle, the King of Gondolin, Turgon, sent out 10,000 well-built armies consisting of Pikemen. They had most probably applied the phalanx formation to survive the battle. However, we can't find any specific mention of this formation in Tolkien's celebrated legendarium. The phalanx was possibly the only phenomenon that stood between the escaping forces of the Edain, the Eldarand, and the massive devastation by the Balrogs and Orcs.

Morgoth's otherwise unbeatable camouflaged cavalry. The spears of the Elves pierced the Orcs. The lethargic action of the cavalry and the bravery of the Elves together contributed to Morgoth's downfall.

Elves and Men fought jointly for the last time in the Battle of Dagorlad. During this battle, the Númenóreans' army also used the phalanx. This formation was genuinely effective in combating the Orcish advances. The unconquerable infantrymen in the phalanx gave sufficient protection to the archers. The archers could thus carry on the unstoppable butchering of Sauron's army.

In the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, the Orcs naively employed an unrefined and disorganized phalanx formation. They used extremely sloppy polearms to stop the advances of the enormous Rohirrim army. Needless to say, this time, the phalanx failed pathetically. After all, even the best tactics turn futile when used by an incompetent army.

This type of phalanx is quite aggressive. It's a step ahead of its defensive counterpart. In this form, all the participating soldiers stand continuously and march towards the opponent. This formation consists of only two rows. This enables more flexibility and allows easy transition from offensive to defensive form.

A "shield-wall-phalanx" is the most popular variation of the standard phalanx. The Easterlings had utilized this form. In a shield-wall-phalanx, all the soldiers were armed with shields. They would form protective walls of shields on three sides of the phalanx. The walls would extend along the front row and the two sides. This would, in turn, protect all the soldiers contained inside the phalanx. This variation also enabled the soldiers to shift to the vulnerable side whenever needed. They could also fill up the gaps formed by casualties as the battle progressed. A shield-wall-phalanx allowed the rear rows to change the direction of their attention whenever needed. They could also give protection to the rear column.

Another variation of the phalanx was known as the porcupine formation. The Easterlings had invented this pike formation. However, all spearmen of Middle-earth happened to use it eventually. This variation would combine the impregnability of the phalanx with the effectiveness of Schiltron. This would protect the flanks. This formation was shown in the video game- the battle for Middle-earth. The porcupine formation was mostly used as an anti-outflanking or a last-stand position. This variation imparted protection to the flanks from all possible angles of attack. Also, the soldiers within the phalanx could spend all their attention on fighting the enemy. The commander would loudly pronounce "porcupine!" to declare porcupine formation. The troops would immediately protrude their spears forward and construct a circle. This was how it had acquired its name. The effectiveness of this formation especially lies in its efficiency to protect the flanks.

A "mini phalanx" is another commonly known variation of the phalanx. The Guard of the Fountain Court was the one to use it. This variation is very similar to the porcupine formation. However, there are a few differences between the two. The mini phalanx consisted of two rows only. And, instead of defending the flanks, it emphasized the protection of forwards.