Velites

The Velites (singular: veles, German: skirmishers ) were a formation in the Roman Republic. She stood still in the first meeting before the Hastati and began the battle, mostly by a skirmish with the enemy spearmen.

The Velites consisted of about 1,200 men, were added to a legion and allocated to each manipuli in order of battle. Their armament consisted of a Spanish short sword ( gladius hispanicum ), a cap made of leather and skins, of a number ( usually seven) javelins ( Hastae velitares ) and a small round shield ( parma). Livy reported that the formation of Velites BC occurred during the siege of Capua in the Second Punic War from 211 to replace the older Rorarii. According to the new army order by Marius end of the 2nd century they disappeared again.

Under Emperor Napoleon I passed by the French Imperial Guard more than " Veliti " designated battalions of non- veteran soldiers who were able to get the full Guard status only after training in these units.