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_900x900.jpg "Roman Julius Caesar Sling Shot from the Battle of Munda")
_200x200.jpg "Roman Julius Caesar Sling Shot from the Battle of Munda")
.jpg "Roman Julius Caesar Sling Shot from the Battle of Munda")
LOT 0234
Roman Julius Caesar Sling Shot from the Battle of Munda
45 B.C.
1 3/8 in. (62.67 grams, 37 mm).
A biconical facetted lentoid-section lead sling shot (glans), the inscription monogram a combination of letters 'C', 'A' and 'E', for 'C A E S' referring to Julius Caesar.
ProvenanceFound near to an important village site, 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, one with the name of Pompey inscribed also coming from 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.
FootnotesThe 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 BC. Similar shots were used in the civil war among Pompey and Caesar, and in all of 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. 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 very deadly lead-like stones or bullets.
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LOT 0234
Roman Julius Caesar Sling Shot from the Battle of Munda
Sold for (Inc. bp): £715
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Western Asiatic Socketted Axehead
3rd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £89
A Bronze Age axehead with swept blade, large socket with raised circumferential rib and a vertical rib to the rear. 545 grams, 13 cm
Fine condition.
Private UK collection, 1980s-1990s. Acquired from a UK gallery, circa 2000.
This axe belongs to a group mainly including those of rectangular shape, the blades themselves rectangular or with slightly divergent edges, with a straight or rounded edges. -
Western Asiatic Arrowhead with Phoenician Letter
1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £33
A slender leaf-shaped copper-alloy arrowhead with rectangular-section tang, bent over forming a loop; Phoenician letter stamped to one face of the head. 10.1 grams. 90 mm
Acquired 1969-1999. London collection of the late Mr S.M., thence by descent. -
Roman Legionary Helmet with Wings of Jupiter
Late 1st century B.C.-early 1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52,000
A tinned sheet-bronze legionary helmet of Imperial Gallic Type A with deep rounded bowl, simple C-shaped cut-outs for the ears, integral flared neck-guard extending some way along the sides, corrugated ribs to the occipital area at the rear and corrugated 'wings' or eyebrows (Russel-Robinson's Type E) above the brow; small stud the rear of the neck-guard attaching suspension loops to the underside; hinged bracket at each temple for a deeply curved cheek-guard with gently flared rim, bearing a loop to the inner face to accept an vinculum fastening strap; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 2.38 kg total, 29 cm high (41 cm including stand)
typologically important helmet of the utmost rarity, excellent state of preservation.
From a West Coast, USA, arms and armour family collection; thence by descent. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11585-199847.
This important and well-preserved helmet (Cassis) belongs to a small and rare group of helmets of the Weisenau type (modern term). The development of this helmet formed the main category of legionary helmets in 1st and 2nd centuries A.D. This early category was characterised by a very high hemispherical calotte and a slightly sloping, narrow neck guard. They were fitted with a pair of prominent curved eyebrows (symbolising the wings of Jupiter’s thunderbolts) flanking two rivetted bosses.
