Hasta (spear)
Hasta (plural: "hastae") is a Latin word meaning "spear". "Hastae" were carried by early Roman legionaries, in particular they were carried by and gave their name to those Roman soldiers known as "hastati". However, during republican times, the "hastati" were re-armed with "pila" and "gladii" and the "hasta" was only retained by the "triarii". Unlike the "pilum", "verutum" and "lancea", the "hasta" was not thrown, but used for thrusting. Description. A "hasta" was about in length, with a shaft generally made from ash, while the head was of iron. Symbolic usage. A little spear with which a  bride's hair was parted into locks. A spear, as a gymnastic weapon. Types of "Hasta" and their Usage in the Roman Army. Section::::"Hasta pura". The "hasta pura" was a spear used in the roman army as a military decoration for a soldier that distinguished themselves in battle. Section::::"Hasta Caelibaris". The name "Hasta Caelibaris" means celibate spear. The spear was used during weddings to dress the bride's hair to remind people that the first marriage was attended with war and fighting. The "Hasta Caelibaris" was equivalent to a hairpin. Section::::"Hasta Pampina". The "Hasta Pampina" was a type of "Hasta  called the Thyrus of Bacchus. This was because the point of the spear was buried in vine leaves. Section::::Hasta Prapilata". The "Hasta Prapilata" was a spear with its point either covered by a ball or muffled. This type of spear was used by soldiers during training. Section::::"Hastarium". "Hastae" were also used as signs that would be conventionally understood in Roman culture as announcing an auction. Hence, an auction was called a "hasta" and an auction-room a "hastarium". Section::::"Hasta Publica". A "Hasta Publica" was a spear used to convey that a public auction was taking place. Section::::"Hasta Graminea". The "Hasta  Graminea" was a spear made of an Indian reed that was used in statues of Minerva. Post-Roman era. The loanwords of Latin word "hasta" still exists in some languages used in regions that were previously part of the Roman Empire. For example, it is used French with the spelling "haste" and, and Italian and Spanish with the spelling "asta". Other languages also used a modified form or meaning such as Albanian ("heshtë", "spear").