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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]
ProvenanceAcquired 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.
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.
FootnotesThe 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).
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0658
Roman Legion XIII 'Battle of Munda' Lead Slingshot
Sold for (Inc. bp): £715
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Roman and Other Bronze Artefact Group
1st-4th century A.D. and laterEstimate: £180 - 240 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £90
Including bust appliqué, model ram and other types. 118 grams total, 8-44 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. -
Large Roman Bronze Cicada Brooch with Silver Collar
4th-5th century A.D.Estimate: £150 - 200 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £75
Formed as a cicada with raised body panel and head, applied silver wire collar; spring, pin and catch to reverse. 31 grams, 49 mm
Ex important German collection of brooches, 1980s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Roman Bronze Laureate Bust of Bacchus
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £390
Comprising a bust with head turned slightly to the right, wearing a laurel wreath on the brow; hollow to reverse of chest and head cavity filled with lead; acanthus-leaf finial. 203 grams, 87 mm
From the private Swiss collection of Hans Wiedemann, Biel/Bienne, since the 1990s. Ex S.L. Antiquarian Biel/Bienne, Switzerland. Acquired from T.B.on the Swiss art market in Basel. Swiss collection Basel-Landschaft. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
The laurel wreath in ancient Rome held significant meaning and was a prominent symbol. Traditionally it was awarded to someone who was honoured or who had achieved something notable. It adorned the heads of formidable military leaders and notable poets as a representation of status, victory, and honour. Fashioned from the laurel plant, Romans believed it showcased divine protection, with roots linked to the prophecy of the Delphic Oracle.
