ITEM: Sling bullet with inscription 'NA / MER'
MATERIAL: Lead
CULTURE: Greek
PERIOD: 4th Century B.C
DIMENSIONS: 14 mm x 28 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex Englis private collection, acquired before 1980s
PARALLEL: DRASKOWSKI, N., & WEISS, P., Neue griechische Schleuderbleie. Tissaphernes und weitere Kommandeure, p. 148 - 149

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 3 to 5 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the hammer price, this amount will be added to the final invoice.

Greek sling bullets (glandes) were small, often lead projectiles used in ancient warfare, primarily by light infantry known as slingers. These bullets were designed to be launched from a sling, a simple yet effective weapon consisting of a leather or woven pouch attached to two cords. The design of the sling bullet was aerodynamic, typically rounded or cylindrical, which allowed it to be thrown with significant speed and accuracy. The slingers would use their skill to launch these projectiles over considerable distances, making them effective against both enemy troops and fortifications.

Sling bullets were not just functional; they were often inscribed or decorated with various symbols and inscriptions. Common motifs included images of gods, such as Zeus' thunderbolt or the helmeted head of Athena, which were meant to invoke divine favor or instill fear in the enemy. Some bullets bore inscriptions or taunts, such as "Take that!" or "Catch me!" These inscriptions served both psychological and propagandistic purposes, demoralizing the enemy and boosting the morale of the troops using them. The inscriptions also provide valuable insights into the cultural and military practices of the time.

Archaeological discoveries of Greek sling bullets, particularly from battlefields and military sites, offer significant insights into ancient warfare. They illustrate the widespread use of slings as a weapon of choice among light infantry and their role in various conflicts, including those fought by city-states like Athens and Sparta. The presence of inscribed sling bullets in different regions of the Mediterranean also indicates the extensive use of this weapon beyond Greek borders, showing how Greek military practices influenced and were adopted by other cultures.