Details

LOT 0871

Roman Lead Cnaeus Pompey Battle of Munda Slingshot

1ST CENTURY B.C.

1 3/4 in. (80.4 grams, 46 mm).

Facetted lentoid-section sling shot (glans) with inscription in Latin letters 'CN' (Cneius) 'MAG' (Magnus) on one side, and 'IMP' for 'IMPERATOR' (victorious general) to the other side, i.e Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus Imperator (Pompey the Great the victorious general). [No Reserve]

Provenance

Previously from a private Spanish collection.
Ex London, UK, gentleman.

Accompanied by a copy of a Spanish export licence.

Literature

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 a similar glans in the Zaragoza Museum, found on the Munda battlefield, inscribed with Pompey’s name.

Footnotes

The shot (Völling type 1C) is marked with the abbreviated name of Gnaeus Pompey; it was used in quantity at the Battle of Monda (or Munda) against Julius Caesar, 17th March 45 BC. The projectiles could be of different material: in lead (glandes) or in pottery or stone (lapides missiles). Sometimes they were signed with the name of the general, as is our specimen.