Hasta pura (military decoration)

The Hasta pura ( "pure lance "), even hasta donatica ( "honor lance " ) called, was one of the first known awards of the Roman military to his soldiers. These were a spear, initially probably of wood without metal tip, the one originally ( in the early and middle Republic) earned, if you killed an enemy outside of the commanded struggle. In the period of the Principate the top of the Hasta could also be made of silver or gold, and the award was given due to different events (not always military).

Already in late Republican period, the Hasta pura was (up from Primuspilus ) awarded usually only senior officer ranks. In the time before she could also get a simple soldier. In the time since the Emperor Claudius is the typical character of the military services payable knighthood. After 217 AD, the Hasta disappears from the inscription sources.