Arrow without a Head

An ' Arrow without a Head, in Latin "Hasta Pura" or Hasta Donatica was a high decoration for merit. Most decorations and honours were of a military character and given for valour or leadership during a campaign but this one was awarded to civilians who organized the war and staff officers.

The Hasta Pura is mentioned in the second part of the Claudius novels by Robert Graves.. A civil servant called Claudius Balbillus is mentioned by Graves. His awards (the hasta pura and perhaps corona aurea) were given by Claudius during the Triumph to celebrate the conquest of Britain in 44AD. As a friend and part of the Emperor’s retinue, his awards, as much as his military rank, are likely to be entirely honorary.

The Hasta pura was a silver spear without the iron head used in combat. From Tacitus and other Roman writers, we know that a hasta pura was given as a decoration. Such decorations were bestowed upon soldiers by Roman generals, more especially for saving the life of a fellow-citizen:

In this engagement Rufus Helvius, a common soldier, won the honour of saving a citizen's life, and was rewarded by Apronius with a torc and a spear. To these the emperor added the civic crown, complaining, but without anger, that Apronius had not used his right as proconsul to bestow this further distinction.

This gift was also given to the Primus Pilus when he had completed his period of service. Also, such a gift is sometimes recorded in funereal inscriptions.

The hasta was not used on a bow but it was a weapon that was thrusted into the opponent like a long dagger.

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