roman hasta bladeThe word "hasta" means spear in Latin. The early Roman legionaries used the hasta. During the republican period, the hasta was replaced on a large scale by the pilum and gladius. The cavalry and auxiliae continued to use the hasta. The pilum was meant to throw from a longer distance, but the hasta was for close combat. It was therefore effective against cavalry. The hasta was historically made of bronze or iron. This hasta is made of metal and comes