The hastati ( in latin, "hastati" and in the singular, 'hastatus', which can be translated literally as «Lancer» or «fighter with spear» ) they were a class of infantry in the armies of the Roman Republic. They were the young and poor of the legion, which only could afford modest equipment, to comply with his work as the light infantry. These units first line of the legion at the time republicana.1 troops were dissolved after the reforms of Mario's 107 a. C.Eran were equipped with light armor and a long coat ( scutum ). To an order, they beat shields with javelins, they began to move to the front, to be 64 meters from the enemy. At that time they began a fast trot, fling its pile ( Spears ) and they desenfundaban swords while they continued to advance for combat melee. They fought in quincunx, supported by other light troops training ( equites and velites ).From the Second Punic War, it transpires that used Roman swords known as gladius are called by the Romans «Hispanic sword» ( «»?Gladius hispaniensis» ) since its design was based on the gladius hispaniensis after the Celtiberian wars was a weapon particularly effective, able to cause wounds both stab ( which, it seems, was its main use ) as in court. Ironically, the hastati name comes from the Latin word up to ( launches ) weapon not used, although the principles of the Republic they were fighting as lanceros.1 this military unit was formed by young troops who had to pay his own team, their equipment was therefore relatively poor quality.