Thehasta (pl.:hastae) was thespear carried by earlyRoman legionaries, for which the Roman soldiers known ashastati were named. In laterrepublican times, thehastati were re-armed withpila andgladii, and thehasta was only retained by thetriarii. Thehasta would also be reintroduced in theLate Roman army in conjunction with thespatha.

Unlike thepilum,verutum andlancea, thehasta was not thrown, but used for thrusting. It was about 2.4 metres (7.9 ft) in length, with a shaft generally made fromash, while the head was of iron.

Hasta also referred to a spear that was a gymnastic weapon.^[1][2] Thehasta prapilata was a spear with its point either covered by a ball or muffled. This type of spear was used by soldiers during training.^[3]

Thehasta pura was a spear used in the Roman army as amilitary decoration for a soldier that distinguished themselves in battle.^[4]

Thehasta caelibaris ("celibate spear") was used duringweddings to dress the bride's hair, like a ritualhairpin.^[3][5][1]

Thehasta pampina was another name for thethyrsus of Bacchus, with the point of the spear was buried invine leaves.^[6]

Ahasta publica was a spear used to convey that apublic auction was taking place. Hence, an auction room was called ahastarium.^[1]

Thehasta graminea was a spear made of an Indian reed that was used in statues ofMinerva.

The loanwords of Latin wordhasta still exists in some languages used in regions that were previously part of theRoman Empire. For example, it is usedFrench with the spellinghaste and, andItalian andSpanish with the spellingasta. Other languages also used a modified form or meaning such asAlbanian (heshtë, "spear").

• Roman military personal equipment