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LOT 1411
Roman Iron Plumbata
4TH-5TH CENTURY A.D.
5 1/4 in. (95 grams, 13.4 cm).
The barbed head with tapering cylindrical stem and biconical lead weight; socket to the reverse.
ProvenanceEx B. Posey collection, UK, 1990s.
LiteratureCf. Southern, P. & Dixon, K.R., The Late Roman Army, London, 1996, fig.46, pp.113-115.
FootnotesThe lead-weighted darts known as plumbatae mamillatae (or 'breasted javelin') were short darts mounted upon a shaft of the same shape, and thrown from a short distance. A Roman soldier would typically carry around 5-6 of these darts at any one time, fastened to the back of his shield. They could be thrown overhand or underhand, with an effective throwing range of up to 60 metres by trained soldiers.
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The type belongs to the Gernez classification of collared axes, with trapezoidal blade and cylindrical sleeve. This set of fairly standardised axes is characterised by a trapezoidal blade, a cylindrical collar with a clear moulding at its base and a marked angular moulding at its top, extending onto the top of the blade. This basic model is exclusively from Susa. -
Roman Iron Plumbata
4th-5th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £364
The barbed head with tapering cylindrical stem and biconical lead weight; socket to the reverse. 95 grams, 13.4 cm
Ex B. Posey collection, UK, 1990s.
The lead-weighted darts known as plumbatae mamillatae (or 'breasted javelin') were short darts mounted upon a shaft of the same shape, and thrown from a short distance. A Roman soldier would typically carry around 5-6 of these darts at any one time, fastened to the back of his shield. They could be thrown overhand or underhand, with an effective throwing range of up to 60 metres by trained soldiers. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
Piriform body with domed filler-hole, radiating petals surrounding the filler-hole, annulets and a zig-zag line beneath; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 434 grams, 10.4 cm
From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 1990s onwards. Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 15 July 2019 and titled 'Eastern Roman Empire - Greek Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade (μεσαίον kακάβιον) 9th-11th century AD'.
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