Differences with Hastati / Princeps

[Brainsnaffler]

Hi everyone. I was wondering - although there is no real difference in armament or game terms - was there any visible difference between the hastati and the princeps? Did one wear mail whilst the other a plate or was there different feather plumes?

[WhiteKnight]

Earlier in Roman history, the hastati were spear-chuckers and principes were armed with longer spears but by the time of the mid-roman list in FOG 1, the principes were spearchucker/swordsmen like the hastati. These all wore their own clothes and armour and how they decorated themselves seems to have reflected their wealth and personal preference and/or fashion! The hastati were generally younger, less wealthy and less experienced men so may have worn less mail armour but may often have worn copper/bronze proto-breastplates called pectorals. The wealthiest of the principes are those figures you can buy with full mail, greaves on their lower leg and loadsa feathers, I expect.
Not really sure about uniformity of shield colour/pattern, but your hastati and principes need not be "uniformed", IMO, and may look better that way?

Martin