A Roman Lead Sling Bolt from the Battle of Julius Caesar and Pompey, Late Roman Republic, ca. 46 BCE

Cast from a two-part mold, this almond-shaped lead sling bullet is from the Battle of Munda in 46 BCE where Julius Caesar defeated Pompey the Great.

Background:  According to the late Roman writer Vegatius, Roman Republican slingers could accurately hit targets up to six hundred feet away, using lead ammunition for optimal performance. Lead’s high density allowed for smaller projectiles with reduced air resistance, making them harder to see in flight. While lead bullets were typically cast in two-part molds, some were made using simple open molds formed by pressing a finger, thumb, or stick into sand and pouring in molten metal. After cooling, the flat end was shaped to a point.

Sling-bullets were produced in various shapes, including an ellipsoidal form resembling an acorn, which may explain the Latin term for lead sling-bullet: glandes plumbeae (leaden acorns) or simply glandes (acorns; singular glans). The most common shape was biconical, similar to an almond or an American football. The reason for favoring the almond shape is unclear. It may have offered aerodynamic benefits, but practical reasons such as ease of mold extraction or stability in the sling are also likely. Symbols or inscriptions were sometimes molded on the side, including thunderbolts, snakes, scorpions, or other images suggesting a sudden strike. Inscriptions could identify the military unit or commander, or be more imaginative, such as, "Take this," "Ouch," "Catch," or "For Pompey's backside." 

Medium: Lead

Dimensions: Length: 1 3/4 inches (4.4 cm)

Condition: Intact and in very good condition overall.

Provenance: Alex Malloy private collection, acquired in the 1980's

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