Greek Sling Shot with Bee

Comprising a two-edged leaf-shaped lentoid-section blade, crescentic lower guard, ribbed hilt and domed finial. 93 grams, 20.1 cm



Acquired before 1983. Ex London gallery, 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

A biconical facetted lentoid-section lead sling shot (glans), inscription monogram a combination of letters 'C', 'A' and 'E', for 'C A E S' referring to Julius Caesar. 48.5 grams, 37 mm



Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a gentleman collector. Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 4th May 2022 and titled 'Roman Res Publica - Lead Slingshots (glandes) of Caesarian Age - 45 B.C circa'. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

The shot (type IIb of the Völling classification) is marked with the abbreviated name of Julius Caesar; vast quantities were used at the Battle of Munda (or Monda) against the last supporters of Pompey, the leaders of the Optimates, on the 17th March 45 BC. Similar shots were used during Caesar's wars. The slingers of Caesar's age were part of the light infantry. Caesar speaks of his Balearic slingers during the conquest of Gaul. They wore a short tunic, with leather or rope sandals to the feet, and a warm overcoat which could also have been used to store projectiles. They also used a satchel to carry deadly lead-like stones or bullets.

Lentoid in form with raised figure of a coiled snake to one face, possible legend to reverse. 31.2 grams, 31 mm



Private collection, Austria. Private collection, Europe. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.