The poorer/newer soldiers who couldn’t afford their own equipment? Honestly, that’s how everyone did it for a millenium.
The whole concept of the Velites is fucking wild:
“Hey, you’re young and poor as shit, go to the frontline and throw some sticks on those heavily armed guys lol here’s a wolf hat you fucking loser lmao”
“remember, when an elephant charges at you, step aside”
“The fuck is an elephant?”