LOT 0257

Roman Julius Caesar Lead Sling Shot from the Battle of Munda

45 B.C.

1 3/8 in. (65.04 grams, 37 mm).

Bearing a monogram: a combination of the letters 'C', 'A' and 'E', for 'C A E S' referring to Julius Caesar.

Found near to a village close to Seville, 1960-1970.
From an old Spanish collection.
Swiss private collection.

Accompanied by a copy of the Spanish export licence.
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.

Cf. D'Amato, R. and Sumner, G., Arms and Armour of the Imperial Roman Soldier: From Marius to Commodus, 112 BC-AD 192, London, 2009, fig.32, p.45, for similar glandes from Zaragoza Museum, the one with the name of Pompey inscribed also from the Munda battlefield; Schinco, G., Small, A.M., 'A previously unknown siege of Botromagno/Silvium: the evidence of slingshots from Gravina in Puglia (Provincia di Bari, Puglia)' in Papers of the British School at Rome, 2019, pp.1-52, figs.31, 37.

The shot (type IIb of the Völling classification) is marked with the abbreviated name of Julius Caesar; it was used in quantity at the Battle of Monda (or Munda) against the last fellows of Pompey, the leaders of the Optimates, on the 17th March 45 B.C. Similar shots were used in the civil war among Pompey and Caesar, and in all Caesar's wars. The funditores of Caesar's age were part of the light infantry. Caesar speaks of his Balearic slingers during the conquest of Gaul, who were usually covered by a short tunic, leather or rope sandals, a coat to cover them, but which could also have been used to store projectiles. Rather, they used a satchel to carry very deadly lead-like stones or bullets. The men employed several slings: one was tied around the head for quick employment should the other break during the battle.