Hastati or Principes?

[Gneisenau]

sorry for my english, before the marian reform, veliti was on the front line for skirmish, and after go back! first line was astati, second line was principes (similar equipement but more experienced and armoured), third line was triari (much more experienced, and that use a spear, not the principes). 1 legion was composed by 1200 astati 1200 princ and 600 triari. the division in manipoles was created for a better "manovrabily" of the army and the switch of the man who was fighting (in a battle of 1 day long you can be tired).
excuse me again for the english, if i can tomorrow post an interesting image of a standard legion deployement

PS principes not mean "first"


edit:

i've just founded this