The Greek phalanx formation fell out of use after the Battle of Cynocephalae, where the Romans defeated the Greeks due to their inability to adapt the formation. The Romans themselves took up the phalanx formation and used it effectively during the Roman Republic, but later abandoned it in favor of the more flexible legion. 

In the 15th century, the Swiss reintroduced the phalanx in their fight for freedom. This formation consisted of a mix of missile weapons, spears, and halberds, and allowed for quick and disciplined attacks. In the 16th century, Spanish troops armed with pike and harquebus introduced the first phalanx of the gunpowder age, using solid columns of infantry known as battles. These were supported by harquebusiers, who fired from the corners of the formation. The pikemen evolved from square into line and advanced, shoulder to shoulder, in a massive charge calculated to sweep the field.
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