What's the difference between Hastati and Principes?

31 March 2017

Our revered historian Polybius says: "The Principe's had started out carrying a long spear, but that over time they were required to carry a sword and two pila". Being kitted out in the same way as the Hastati eventually meant that the only differences between the two types were battle experience, age and wealth. 

The Principes were in the second line behind the Hastati when in the field. If the Hastati found themselves having a struggle beating an enemy, they retreated by creating spaces in the line allowing room for the reserve Principes to join in. Once in they fought side by side with the Hastati against the enemy, who now had to face not only fresher but more experienced troops. 

Once I have fully painted and based this line of Romans the collection calculator says that these six bases are going to worth about £43.00.

Hastati & Principes (Bd - Blade)

6 bases, 24 figures in the First and Second lines

24 infantry figures in close order on 6 bases. This has been hard! I had to really focus on just getting to the end, using factory processes has returned to get these soldiers painted.  I concentrated on the overall look again rather than the details as 24 is the most I have painted in a long time. 

As they are the core of the army, it took a long time to get these done -six hours over four days. Lots of gunmetal, flesh and basing done to get these finished off. Now I am looking forward to painting the more specialist troops of the Seleucid army with their Elephants, Scythed Chariots, Thracian and Galatian allies.

These are the Hastati & Principe's, pictured from the front

Hastati & Principe's from the Left flank showing detail of the painting job

Hastati & Principe's from the Right flank

These are the Hastati & Principes, pictured from the Rear