| “ | When they had surmounted the obstacles and got into line with the Hastati, the two lines charged each other with the greatest fire and fury.
— Polybius
|
” |
During the Samnite Wars in about 315 BC, the Roman Republic reorganized their military from the old hoplite phalanxes. They introduced a manipular organization with distinct infantry units; Velites as regular light infantry, Principes as elite heavy infantry, Hastati as regular heavy infantry, and Triarii as "emergency units" equipped like the old hoplites. Cavalry or Equites were not particularly high quality so Rome depended on its high quality infantry. The Hastati were lower class and among the more abundant units. They were built for direct action with the Principes stepping in when the Hastati got overwhelmed. This was the military organization in place for the Pyrrhic War and Punic Wars. Like all other units they coexisted with, the Hastati would be disbanded during the Marion Reforms in about 107 BC.
Battle vs. Zulu Warrior (by Lunathemoon123)[]
TBW
Hastati Victory
Expert's Opinion[]
The Hastatus emerged victorious due to comparable quality in training and superior armor.