Hastati

Roman hastati are young, well-trained, and extremely efficient. They form the first line of the tactical unit, the legion, then the cohort after the reform of Marius

The hastati fight using a combination of the pilum (a heavy javelin designed to pierce enemy armor and shields), thrown just before melee, the spear (hasta, hence their name hastati) and the famous sword (gladius, short sword) which is used as a thrusting and slashing weapon. They wear good quality helmets, chain mail (or more often a metal plate on the sternum) as well as large shields. The legions wreak havoc in close combat, but they progress very slowly in difficult terrain, especially because of their formations, such as the famous turtle, which require them to stay very close to each other.

gladius

History of the Roman Legions

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Etruscans
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Gétules
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