Greek sling bullet with inscription

ITEM: Sling bullet wiht inscription 'ΑΓΟΡΟΥ'
MATERIAL: Lead
CULTURE: Greek
PERIOD: 4th Century B.C
DIMENSIONS: 17 mm x 32 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex Dutch private collection, acquired before 1990s

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, also known as sphendone or sphendonai, were small, spherical projectiles used in ancient warfare, primarily by infantry soldiers known as slingers. These bullets, made of materials such as stone, lead, or fired clay, were designed to be hurled from a sling, a weapon that allowed soldiers to launch projectiles with great force and accuracy. The use of slings in Greek warfare dates back to at least the 5th century BCE, with slingers playing a significant role in battles, particularly in sieges or skirmishes. The bullets were typically around the size of a modern golf ball, and their round shape helped to ensure a streamlined trajectory when slung at high speeds.

The primary function of Greek sling bullets was to cause injury or disruption to enemy forces, with their weight and velocity allowing them to penetrate armor or strike vulnerable spots on the body. These bullets could be used in rapid, successive shots, overwhelming enemies with the constant barrage of projectiles. The materials chosen for the bullets, such as lead, were relatively inexpensive and easy to produce, making them an effective option for large-scale warfare. Archaeological finds of Greek sling bullets, especially those made of lead, often bear inscriptions or symbols, suggesting that they were personalized for particular military units or even used as propaganda tools, marking the identity of the wielding army.

In addition to their military use, Greek sling bullets have been found at various ancient sites, offering valuable insights into ancient weaponry and the logistics of warfare. Inscriptions on some lead bullets indicate their use by specific city-states, highlighting the importance of slingers in the Greek military structure. The mass production of these bullets in foundries and workshops suggests that they were standard issue for many armies. Some sling bullets have also been discovered in the context of sieges, where they were used to harass defenders or inflict damage on enemy fortifications.