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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 0233
Roman Julius Caesar Sling Shot from the Battle of Munda
45 B.C.
1 3/8 in. (63.29 grams, 36 mm).
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.
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 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 very deadly lead-like stones or bullets.
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LOT 0233
Roman Julius Caesar Sling Shot from the Battle of Munda
Sold for (Inc. bp): £572
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Large Byzantine Silver Archer's Ring
14th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £715
A substantial silver archer's ring comprising a hoop with reserved triangular ornament on the edges and triangular plaque with foliage motifs, raised central panel with frond motif. 22.61 grams, 34.77 mm overall, 25.16 mm internal diameter
Acquire in the 1990s. Ex Cambridgeshire, UK, collection.
Archer rings in Late Byzantium and the medieval Balkans were connected with the employment of the powerful composite bow, but very often, in 14th century, they were rank symbol for aristocratic noblemen. Archaeological findings of archers’ rings originate mainly from fortified towns, including mining centres. Many were made in bone, simple in design and undecorated. In contrast, the ones made in bronze and silver were usually decorated in rather uniform style, consisting of floral motifs on the head, mostly tulip and foliage, and linear motifs around the edges. This decoration combined Turkish, Central European and Eastern Roman traditional patterns. -
Viking Period Socketted Spearhead Group
Circa 8th-10th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £663
A group of three short iron spearheads with lentoid-section lanceolate blade, short neck and tapering circular socket with forge-welded split, single hole for attachment pin; remains of wood inside one of the shafts. 578 grams total, 24.5-28.5 cm
Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector.
The spears belong to the type A of the first main group of Viking spears, the so-called Frankish spearheads, which occur between 750 and 950 A.D., but mainly in the 8th and 9th centuries. The Mediterranean influence is still evident on the foliate shape of the blade. -
Migration Period Sword Blade with Agate Pommel
Circa 5th-6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £975
A two-edged parallel-sided iron blade with broad pointed tip, battle nicks to both cutting edges; accompanied by a discoid agate pommel. 823 grams total, 3.5-83 cm
cleaned and conserved
Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
