Hasta (spear)

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The hasta (pl.: hastae) was the spear carried by early Roman legionaries, for which the Roman soldiers known as hastati were named. In later republican times, the hastati were re-armed with pila and gladii, and the hasta was only retained by the triarii.

Unlike the pilum, verutum and lancea, the hasta was not thrown, but used for thrusting. It was about 2.4 metres (8 feet) in length, with a shaft generally made from ash, while the head was of iron.

Hasta also referred to a spear that was a gymnastic weapon.^[1][2] The hasta prapilata was a spear with its point either covered by a ball or muffled. This type of spear was used by soldiers during training.^[3]