WHO ARE THE HASTARTES LEGIONNARII?
Established by Guro Ferd Terado (formerly) of PTK-SMF on March 3rd, 2023. Originally an unofficial "club" within PTK-SMF called The 13th Legion evolved into Ferd's professional brand under the new name Hastartes Tactical or simply The Hastartes.
Hastartes Tactical is a Pekiti-Tirsia Kali group that draws its inspiration from ancient Roman military culture; Hastartes is derived from two Latin words; hastae, meaning spears or polearms and also hastati, the term for vanguard units of (pre-Marian reform) Roman legions that were modeled after the Greek Phalanx, and artem/artes meaning "art" or "skill."
HISTORICAL ORIGINS AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE 13TH LEGION
January 1st, 49BC - After rejecting Julius Caesar's final peace proposal, The Roman senate ordered that he immediately disband his legions or be branded as hostis (enemy of the State). On January 10th, 49BC Caesar defied these cowardly politicians and marched from Gaul (modern day France) back to the Roman capital with the entire 13th Gallic Legion behind him. The senate soon realized how grave a mistake they've made once Caesar crossed the Rubicon river. As a result, civil war erupted with Caesar winning battle after battle.
September 13th, 2013 - The 13th Legion online "club" was formed by Guro Ferd, who became sort of the figurehead and standard-bearer against the authoritarian overreach of the PTK Global Grand Alliance/PTK Grand Magisterium and became the proverbial "middle finger" to the cultish behavior that became so prevalent in the Pekiti-Tirsia Kali community.
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Centurion Lucius Vorenus leads the 13th Legion into battle.
From the HBO series Rome.
THE SYMBOL
The Official Hastartes symbol is the helmed legionnaire with Aquila (eagle) wings. It's an homage to Guro Ferd's PTK-SMF origins, which bears the winged skull symbol. Historically, the Roman legionnaire symbolized the professional citizen soldier of ancient Rome and its military power. The Aquila wings, emblazoned on every legion's flag and The Hastartes represent freedom, beauty, and strength and the pursuit of something greater than our selves. The galea or helmet design is battle worn, which indicates that members of The Hastartes are disciplined martial practitioners and are trained to fight with and without weapons. Finally, the Baybayin KA symbol, which means "connection" can be seen at center of the helmet.
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