Hasta

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Hasta
Information
Weapon type: lance
Use: Weapon of war
Creation time: approx. 600 BC Chr.
Working time: approx. 600 BC Chr. - 400 AD
Region of origin /
author: 		Italy , Roman Army
Distribution: Roman Empire
Overall length: approx. 250 cm
(considerable variations)
Blade length: approx. 30 cm
Weight: 1.2 to 2 kg
Handle: Wood, leather, metal
Lists on the subject

The hasta ( lat. ) Was any kind of spear among the Romans , but especially the heavy lance up to 4 m long , which was previously called quiris (hence the name Quiriten ). It was originally the main combat weapon of all legionary soldiers and later (up to Marius ) that of the Triarians (cf. Roman Legion ). It remained in constant use in the cavalry . In addition, "hasta" was used in various figurative meanings. The name of the Hastati is derived from the Hasta , which in the royal times and in the early Republic, in contrast to the fully armed Principes and the Triarians, basically only wielded this one weapon. In contrast to Iacula and Pila , this hasta was not thrown, but served as a defensive weapon or thrust weapon in close combat, rammed diagonally into the ground .

The hasta had an elongated, leaf-shaped tip that was attached to a wooden shaft with a spout. At its lower end, the shaft had a pointed shaft foot with which the weapon could be rammed into the ground. The length of the hasta used in the Roman legion is difficult to reconstruct as the wooden shafts mostly rotted and there are pictorial evidence, e.g. B. on tombstones, the length in the representation often adapted to the field of view. The length could also have changed over time depending on tactical use. In the Greek phalanx lances up to 7 m in length were used, but the few usable finds from Roman times suggest a total length of around 2.5 m. At different times, hastae up to 4 m in length were apparently used for cavalry. The heavy and up to 4.5 m long lances of the special lancers (cf. Kataphrakten , Clibanarii ), introduced from around 100 AD , were called " Contus ".

During the development from the phalanx to manipulartactics , the hasta of the infantrymen was replaced by the pilum in the Hastati and Principes, who were in front in the battle order. At that time, it was only used by the trariars in the third meeting . With the beginning of the cohort tactics in the 1st century BC Chr. Disappeared Hasta the legions and was still in the cavalry and some auxiliaries used.

The hasta velitaris also existed . It was a finger-thick javelin, a little over 1 m long, the thin iron point of which usually broke off where it penetrated, so that the enemy could not use it as a weapon; the Velites carried seven of them with them. The hasta ansata was a throwing spit with a strap ( amentum ) attached to a ring below the tip. With this strap one could give the spear more momentum when throwing it.

Other uses of the term

  • The hasta pura (unshod spear) was given as an award for outstanding valor.
  • The hasta fetialis was thrown over the enemy border as a declaration of war (cf. Fetiale ).
  • The hasta cruenta was a spear painted red (actually with blood) and meant permission to plunder a conquered city.
  • The hair of the bride was arranged with the tip of the small iron hasta coelibaris at the wedding celebration to indicate the rule of the man over his wife.
  • The Romans also designated the place for carrying out civil business by setting up a hasta. A hasta was also a hallmark of officials, such as the Roman customs guard , and symbolized control by public offices.
    • thus "hasta censoria" or "hasta locationis" meant the leasing of customs duties and other state income to be undertaken by the censors ;
    • "hasta frumentaria" was the term used to describe the free delivery of grain from public magazines at the time of payment;
    • “Hasta venditionis” or “hasta publica” means public auctions;
    • “Ad hastam” (publicam), for public auction;
    • Selling “sub hasta”, ie foreclosure auction.

swell

  • Meyers Konversations-Lexikon. An encyclopedia of common knowledge. 4th, completely revised edition . 16 vols. Bibliographisches Institut, Leipzig 1885–90. P. 8.208.
  • Marcus Junkelmann : The riders of Rome. Part 3, accessories, riding style, armament , von Zabern, Mainz 1992 (cultural history of the ancient world, vol. 53) ISBN 3-8053-1288-1 (new edition 2008) p. 141 ff.
  • Information on Roman armament and equipment