A spearman or legionary heavily-armed infantryman, who was the best of the best of the early Republican legion and stood in the front line in battles. The hastati had officers known as: - hastatus centurio - a centurion in charge of a unit of hastati. - hastatus posterior - a deputy to the hastatus prior. - hastatus prior - a centurion commanding a…... Found on http://www.encyclo.co.uk/visitor-contributions.php