Why did the oval shield replace the scutum?

[Robert Vermaat]

I don't want to criticize here but the Hasta and Kontos are two different spears - the Kontos emerged in the Late 5th century as a rougly 8-12 foot cavalry spear if I'm correct. You're the expert though.

You are mistaken. Both names are used for a number of spears, apparently Romans did not stick to one name for one type of spear. The kontos was also a much earlier thrusting spear,but it was also a name used for a thrusting spear in late Roman times. The hasta was a thrusting spear of shorter length during the Principate, but we see it used for longer thrusting spears as well. Both can be used by infantry as well as cavalry. Confusing, I agree.

Also I think he means shieldwall, and I thought the pila was replaced by the spicula and then the Hasta and lancaea/veruta javelins replaced that.

Who means shieldwall?
Yes, the pilum (pila is plural) was replaced by the speculum. No, the lancea was an earlier throwing spear. The verutuum was also a throwing spear, but a much lighter one than the pilum. The hasta was a thrusting spear.

And the Hasta was not developed in the 3rd Century AD it had been around for years because the Auxilia used it during the Principate era and the Pre-Marian Army did as well.

Who said the hasta was developed during the 3rd c.? I said that the LONGER thrusting spear (named hasta) was developed during the 3rd c. The hasta used before by the Principate auxilia was a shorter weapon.

The complete Roman Army - Adrian Goldsworthy
Roman Warfare - Adrian Goldsworthy
Rome and Her Enemies - Osprey Publishing

Nice books, but not much used for a detailed study of tactics and weapons. :wink: