Velites

This item is part of the “Punic Wars: Hannibal at the Gates” collection. Roman Republic Faction.

During the Roman Republic, the Velites were a class of light infantry and skirmishers. They played a crucial role in the Roman military, providing support to the main battle lines. 

• Composition: Velites were typically the youngest and poorest soldiers in the legion, drawn from the lower classes of Roman citizens.
• Equipment: They were equipped with several light javelins (hastae velitares) for throwing at the enemy, and a short sword (gladius) for close combat. They rarely wore heavy armor due to their limited financial resources. They carried a small, round shield called a parma for protection. Velites also wore distinctive wolfskin headgear, possibly to allow officers to easily identify them.
• Role in battle: Velites were primarily used as a screening force, positioned at the front of the maniples (subdivisions of the legion). Their main tasks included:
  • Harassing the enemy with javelin throws and disrupting their formations.
  • Driving off enemy skirmishers.
  • Engaging specific enemy types like war elephants and chariots, where their mobility and ranged weapons were advantageous.
  • Providing a screen to cover the advance of heavier infantry units like the hastati.
• Tactics: Velites employed hit-and-run tactics, utilizing their speed and agility to harass enemy forces before retreating. They also acted as scouts, gathering intelligence on enemy positions.
• Disbandment: Velites were eventually phased out or disbanded after the Marian reforms, which streamlined the structure of the Roman army. 

Set of 12 Miniatures. Republican Velites. Republic of Rome. 28 mm Miniatures. Punic Wars: Hannibal at the Gates. Produced by Tofer’s Miniatures. 

Ideal for games like SAGA and other wargames.

This set contains 12 unpainted Republic of Rome, Republican Velites. Ideal for games like SAGA and other wargames.

Produced by Tofer's Miniatures
The model was designed by Carlos A. Mariani