Hastati (singular: Hastatus) is a Roman infantry from the period of the Republic (509 BC - 31 BC), which formally functioned until the reforms of consul Marius carried out around 100 BC. In this formation, as in the ranks of Principes, fought soldiers with some combat experience, probably coming from the middle-income strata of Roman society. Hastati, along with Principes, formed the backbone and main strike force of the Roman legion. They were also the most numerous type of infantry in the legion of the Republic. It was their attitude that most often determined victory or defeat in battle. A single soldier of this formation had a large, wooden shield (Latin scutum) as defensive armament, with iron reinforcement in the center (Latin umbo). It is assumed that such a shield was used by the Roman army most probably during the Samnite wars (343-290 BC). There was also a metal breastplate (Latin phylax), most often one greaves and a bronze helmet - often of the Montefortino type. A short sword called gladius was used as a side weapon, and the main weapon was two spears called pilum. Hastati armed in this way fought, among others, during the Punic Wars (264-146 BC) or during the wars of Rome with Macedonia and the Seleucid State at the beginning of the 2nd century BC.
Velici (Latin Velites) is a Roman light infantry from the period of the Republic (509 BC - 31 BC), which formally functioned until the reforms of consul Marius carried out around 100 BC. The youngest and the least experienced soldiers most often fought in this formation, and probably also those who came from the poorest social strata. The role of the Roman Welites on the battlefield was limited to initiating skirmishes with the enemy, covering the development of Roman legions, as well as harassing the enemy. A single soldier of this formation was very lightly armed. The main defensive weapon was a round shield (Latin parma) with a diameter rarely exceeding 1 meter, while on the head it had a light leather helmet. Velites often wore the skins of wild animals - especially wolves, thus referring perhaps to the myth of the Capitoline Wolf. As an offensive weapon, they mainly used short javelins from 1 to 1.2 meters long, and as a side weapon they used short swords.