''Hasta'' (plural: ''hastae'') is a

Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...

word meaning "

spear A spear is a pole weapon consisting of a shaft, usually of wood, with a pointed head. The head may be simply the sharpened end of the shaft itself, as is the case with fire hardened spears, or it may be made of a more durable material fasten ...

". ''Hastae'' were carried by early

Roman legionaries The Roman legion ( la, legiō, ) was the largest military unit of the Roman army, composed of 5,200 infantry and 300 equites (cavalry) in the period of the Roman Republic (509 BC–27 BC) and of 5,600 infantry and 200 auxilia in the period of t ...

, in particular they were carried by and gave their name to those Roman soldiers known as ''

hastati ''Hastati'' (singular: ''hastatus'') were a class of infantry employed in the armies of the early Roman Republic, who originally fought as spearmen and later as swordsmen. These soldiers were the staple unit after Rome threw off Etruscan rule. ...

''. However, during

republican Republican can refer to: Political ideology * An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law. ** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...

times, the ''hastati'' were re-armed with ''

pila Pila may refer to: Architecture * Pila (architecture), a type of veranda in Sri Lankan farm houses Places *Pila, Buenos Aires, a town in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina *Pila Partido, a country subdivision in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina * ...

'' and '' gladii'' and the ''hasta'' was only retained by the ''

triarii ''Triarii'' (singular: ''Triarius'') were one of the elements of the early Roman military manipular legions of the early Roman Republic (509 BC – 107 BC). They were the oldest and among the wealthiest men in the army and could afford high qua ...

''. Unlike the ''pilum'', ''

verutum The ''verutum'', plural ''veruta'' ( la, spit), was a short javelin used in the Roman army. This javelin was used by the ''velites'' for skirmishing purposes, unlike the heavier ''pilum'', which was used by the ''hastati'' and ''principes'' for ...

'' and '' lancea'', the ''hasta'' was not thrown, but used for thrusting.

Description

A ''hasta'' was about in length, with a shaft generally made from

ash Ash or ashes are the solid remnants of fires. Specifically, ''ash'' refers to all non-aqueous, non- gaseous residues that remain after something burns. In analytical chemistry, to analyse the mineral and metal content of chemical samples, ash ...

, while the head was of iron.

Symbolic usage

A little spear with which a bride's hair was parted into locks. A spear, as a gymnastic weapon.

Types of ''Hasta'' and their usage in the Roman army

''Hasta pura''

The ''hasta pura'' was a spear used in the Roman army as a

military decoration Military awards and decorations are distinctions given as a mark of honor for military heroism, meritorious or outstanding service or achievement. DoD Manual 1348.33, 2010, Vol. 3 A decoration is often a medal consisting of a ribbon and a medal ...

for a soldier that distinguished themselves in battle.

''Hasta Caelibaris''

The name ''Hasta Caelibaris'' means celibate spear. The spear was used during

weddings A wedding is a ceremony where two people are united in marriage. Wedding traditions and customs vary greatly between cultures, ethnic groups, religions, countries, and social classes. Most wedding ceremonies involve an exchange of marria ...

to dress the bride's hair to remind people that the first marriage was attended with war and fighting. The ''Hasta Caelibaris'' was equivalent to a

hairpin A hairpin or hair pin is a long device used to hold a person's hair in place. It may be used simply to secure long hair out of the way for convenience or as part of an elaborate hairstyle or coiffure. The earliest evidence for dressing the hai ...

''Hasta Pampina''

The ''Hasta Pampina'' was a type of ''Hasta'' called the Thyrus of Bacchus. This was because the point of the spear was buried in

vine A vine (Latin ''vīnea'' "grapevine", "vineyard", from ''vīnum'' "wine") is any plant with a growth habit of trailing or scandent (that is, climbing) stems, lianas or runners. The word ''vine'' can also refer to such stems or runners themselv ...

leaves.

''Hasta Prapilata''

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.

''Hastarium''

''Hastae'' were also used as signs that would be conventionally understood in Roman culture as announcing an

auction An auction is usually a process of buying and selling goods or services by offering them up for bids, taking bids, and then selling the item to the highest bidder or buying the item from the lowest bidder. Some exceptions to this definition ex ...

. Hence, an auction was called a ''hasta'' and an auction-room a ''hastarium''.

''Hasta Publica''

A ''Hasta Publica'' was a spear used to convey that a public auction was taking place.

''Hasta Graminea''

The ''Hasta Graminea'' was a spear made of an Indian reed that was used in statues of

Minerva Minerva (; ett, Menrva) is the Roman goddess of wisdom, justice, law, victory, and the sponsor of arts, trade, and strategy. Minerva is not a patron of violence such as Mars, but of strategic war. From the second century BC onward, the Rom ...

Post-Roman era

The loanwords of Latin word ''hasta'' still exists in some languages used in regions that were previously part of the

Roman Empire The Roman Empire ( la, Imperium Romanum ; grc-gre, Βασιλεία τῶν Ῥωμαίων, Basileía tôn Rhōmaíōn) was the post-Republican period of ancient Rome. As a polity, it included large territorial holdings around the Mediterr ...

. For example, it is used French with the spelling ''haste'' and, and

Italian Italian(s) may refer to: * Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries ** Italians, an ethnic group or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom ** Italian language, a Romance language *** Regional Ita ...

and

Spanish Spanish might refer to: * Items from or related to Spain: **Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain **Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many Latin American countries **Spanish cuisine Other places * Spanish, Ontario, Can ...

with the spelling ''asta''. Other languages also used a modified form or meaning such as Albanian (''heshtë'', "spear").

Notes

{{Pole weapons Ancient Roman legionary equipment Military awards and decorations of ancient Rome Roman spears