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Glite Dictionary
🛡️ Roman foot soldier 🔱 Spear-shaped
hastatus

hastatus

9.9
A low rank Roman foot soldier armed with a spear and a small shield
  • noun
  • /ˈhæstətəs/
  • Archaic
translation icon : hastatus
  • In ancient Rome, the hastatus was equipped with a spear and shield, forming the backbone of the army.

The second type of soldier was the hastatus, or plural hastati.

Examples

  • The second type of soldier was the hastatus, or plural hastati.

    Invicta

  • But now here come the ominous siege tower is going to be moving up, and if these Archers don't watch out, they're going to get a face full of hastati right in their grills.

  • Another example of cooperation among largely unrelated individuals comes from greater spear-nosed bats (P. hastatus).

    Academic text (2008)

  • The single large bat is a greater spear-nosed bat (Phyllostomus hastatus) that joined the roosting group of L. silvicolum.

    Academic text (2008)

  • The hastati were essential infantrymen in the Roman military, known for their bravery and tactical skills.

  • During battles, the hastatus would often form the front lines, ensuring protection for the more heavily armed soldiers behind them.

Surface Forms

hastatus singular
hastati plural

Etymology

Hastatus comes from the Latin hasta, meaning 'spear', and was the name for a Roman soldier who fought with a spear and a small shield. That's why a hastatus refers to the low-ranking infantry who stood in the front line.