The next in seniority called hastati are ordered to wear a complete panoply.
The Roman panoply consists firstly of a shield (scutum), the convex surface of which measures two and a half feet in width and four feet in length, the thickness at the rim being a palm's breadth.
It is made of two planks glued together, the outer surface being then covered first with canvas and then with calf-skin.
Its upper and lower rims are strengthened by an iron edging which protects it from descending blows and from injury when rested on the ground. It also has an iron boss (umbo) fixed to it which turns aside the most formidable blows of stones, pikes, and heavy missiles in general.
Besides the shield they also carry a sword, hanging on the right thigh and called a Spanish sword.
This is excellent for thrusting, and both of its edges cut effectually, as the blade is very strong and firm.
In addition they have two pila, a brass helmet, and greaves.
The pila are of two sorts — stout and fine. Of the stout ones some are round and a palm's length in diameter and others are a palm square. Fine pila, which they carry in addition to the stout ones, are like moderate-sized hunting-spears,
the length of the haft in all cases being about three cubits. Each is fitted with a barbed iron head of the same length as the haft.
This they attach so securely to the haft, carrying the attachment halfway up the latter and fixing it with numerous rivets, that in action the iron will break sooner than become detached, although its thickness at the bottom where it comes in contact with the wood is a finger's breadth and a half; such great care do they take about attaching it firmly. Finally they wear as an ornament a circle of feathers with three upright purple or black feathers about a cubit in height, the addition of which on the head surmounting their other arms is to make every man look twice his real height, and to give him a fine appearance, such as will strike terror into the enemy.
The common soldiers wear in addition a breastplate of brass a span square, which they place in front of the heart and call the heart-protector (pectorale), this completing their accoutrements; but those who are rated above ten thousand drachmas wear instead of this a coat of chain-mail (). The principes and triarii are armed in the same manner except that instead of the pila the triarii carry long spears (hastae).
Walbank Commentary