Phalanx

Description
A phalanx was a formation of soldiers that formed multiple ranks of soldiers supporting each other with spears and pikes.

Defensive
This is the most basic form of a phalanx, quite commonly a defensive phalanx would consist of, the first rank would kneel with their spears or pikes held out at about the height of their shoulders, the next rank would also kneel and hold their spears slightly higher, followed by the next row standing with their spears angled slightly above the row before them. On occasion the phalanx would consist of a few more rows of troops but they commonly consisted of only three rows of troops.

Offensive
This form of phalanx is far more aggressive form of a phalanx in which all the troops participating in the phalanx remain standing at all times and march towards the enemy lines. This form of attack usually consists of only two rows of troops as this makes the formation just that much more maneuverable, and allows for a quick transit from offensive to defensive formation.

Variations
The most common variation of a standard phalanx was known as a "shield-wall phalanx", (employed by the Easterlings) in which all ranks of soldiers would be equipped with shields and would form a wall of shields that would extend across the entire front row and along both of the sides of the formation to protect all troops contained within the phalanx, it also allowed for the troops on the inside to shift themselves to support any side that was pressed by enemies and to easily fill any gaps that were caused by casualties as the battles wore on. This variation also allowed for the rear rows to about face and to protect the rear of the column far more effectively than a standard phalanx.

Another common variation of a phalanx was employed by the Guards of the Fountain Court commonly known as a "mini phalanx" in which the soldiers would form the phalanx in the same way as stated above, but it would only consist of two rows of troops and they would only be positioned to defend forewords not against attacks from their flanks.