Pikemen were infantry soldiers armed with long spears called pikes, typically ranging from 10 to 20 feet in length. They played a crucial role in battles during the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance, particularly in European warfare. Their primary function was to create a defensive wall of pikes to fend off cavalry and protect other troops. The use of pikemen peaked in the 16th and 17th centuries, often forming part of larger formations like the tercio in Spanish military tactics. As firearms became more prevalent, the role of pikemen diminished, leading to the development of combined arms tactics that integrated both infantry and ranged units.