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Theverutum, pluralveruta (Latin:spit), was a shortjavelin used in theRoman army. This javelin was used by thevelites for skirmishing purposes, unlike the heavierpilum, which was used by thehastati andprincipes for weakening the enemy before advancing into close combat. The shafts were about 1.1 metres (3 ft 7 in) long, substantially shorter than the 2-metre (6 ft 7 in)pilum, and the point measured about 13 centimetres (5 in) long. Theverutum had either an iron shank like thepilum or a tapering metal head. It was sometimes thrown with the aid of a throwing strap, oramentum.
Theverutum was probably adopted from theSamnites and theVolsci but there is not enough proof for that. During the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC, Roman light infantry (velites) would carry sevenveruta into combat. It proved to be quite an effective weapon, even against war elephants as proven in thebattle of Zama. In the late 2nd century BC, theverutum was taken out of service along with theveles, but the javelin was taken back into the legionary arsenal during the Late Empire.
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