Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 0658

Roman Legion XIII 'Battle of Munda' Lead Slingshot

1ST CENTURY B.C.

1 5/8 in. (55.9 grams, 41 mm).

Fusiform with reserved legend 'LXIII' (for LEGIO XIII = 13th Legion). [No Reserve]

Provenance

Acquired on the UK art market.
Property of a gentleman collector.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

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 glandes from Zaragoza Museum, from Munda battlefield; cf. also D'Amato, R., La Grande Storia delle Legioni Romane, Roma, 2021.

Footnotes

The shot (Völling type 1C) is marked with the abbreviated name of Legion XIII, and was probably used at the Battle of Munda (or Monda) against Julius Caesar, 17th March 45 B.C., or against the sons of Pompey, because both the generals (Pompey sons and Caesar) had in their army a Legio with the numeral XIII on that day. Interestingly, other glandes of the same typology from the same battlefield bear the name of Pompey, so that it is much possible that the glans belongs to the Legio XIII of Pompey, who was destroyed during the battle and whose survivors were massacred among the 22,000 defenders of Cordoba by the troops of Caesar (D'Amato, 2021, pp.421 and 424). The projectiles were made of different materials: lead (glandes) or in pottery or stone (lapides missiles).

CONDITION

VETTING:

TimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process


AUCTIONS:

TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.

LOT 0658

Roman Legion XIII 'Battle of Munda' Lead Slingshot

Sold for (Inc. bp): £715

Print page

RELATED LOTS

  • Roman Green Glass Bead Necklace String
    Roman Green Glass Bead Necklace String
    1st-4th century A.D. and later

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £20

    Restrung group of tubular, drum-shaped and other beads. 11.16 grams, 35 cm



    Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    Lot Details

  • Roman Gemstone Collection
    Roman Gemstone Collection
    2nd-3rd century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £624

    Mixed group including profile bust, seated female, perching bird and others; each supplied with a museum-quality impression. 2.86 grams total, 10-14 mm



    From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    Lot Details

  • Roman Gold Ring with Eye Cabochon
    Roman Gold Ring with Eye Cabochon
    3rd-4th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £715

    Round-section hoop with granule cluster to each shoulder, ellipsoid cell with inset sardonyx cabochon; one end of bezel and outer edge of hoop damaged. 2.45 grams, 20.32 mm overall, 11.79 x 16.35 mm internal diameter (approximate size British E 1/2, USA 2 1/2, Europe 3, Japan 3)



    Private family collection, acquired in the 1980s. with Christie's, New York, Ancient Jewellery, 11 December 2003, no.506. Property of a European collection. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate, no.S00029664 This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list