Roman Lead Slingshot of Quintus Sertorius

CIRCA 82-72 B.C.

1 1/2 in. (59.6 grams, 37 mm).

Lentoid in form with raised legend to reverse 'Q.SERT / PRO C'; casting seam and flange. [No Reserve]

Provenance

Acquired on the UK art market, early 2000s.
Property of a London, UK, antiquarian.

Literature

Cf. Welch, K., Magnus Pius, Sextus Pompeius and the Transformation of the Roman Republic, 2012, fig.16, no.23 and p.113, for glandes of Sertorius with a similar inscription.

Footnotes

The inscription may refer to Quintus Sertorius, the Roman statesman and general (123-72 BC). In late 82 BC, Sertorius, linked to the party of populares of Gaius Marius, was proscribed by Sulla and forced from his province in Hispania. However, he soon returned in early 80 BC, representing himself as a Roman proconsul resisting the Sullan regime at Rome. Being Proconsul in this Hispania from 82 to 73 B.C., the slingshots of his army were bearing the inscription 'Q.SERT / PRO C' (Quintus Sertorius Proconsul).

CONDITION

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LOT 1525