Greek sling bullet with fulmen (thunderbolt)

Greek sling bullet with fulmen (thunderbolt)
ITEM: Sling bullet with fulmen (thunderbolt)
MATERIAL: Lead
CULTURE: Greek
PERIOD: 4th Century B.C
DIMENSIONS: 18 mm x 40 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.

A Greek sling bullet (or glandes) was a small, often lead projectile used as ammunition for sling weapons in ancient Greece. Sling bullets were an essential part of light infantry warfare, particularly used by slingers (sphendonetai), who were skilled in hurling these projectiles at high speeds over long distances. These bullets were typically almond-shaped or biconical, allowing for better aerodynamics and increased impact upon striking a target. While early sling bullets were made from stone or baked clay, the Greeks, especially by the Classical period (5th–4th centuries BCE), preferred lead due to its heaviness, which allowed for greater velocity and penetrating power.

One of the most interesting aspects of Greek sling bullets is that they were often inscribed with short messages, symbols, or intimidating phrases. Some sling bullets have been found with inscriptions such as "Take this!" or "For victory!", serving as both psychological warfare and a mark of the user's allegiance. Others featured depictions of lightning bolts, referencing the power of Zeus, or even animal symbols that signified a particular city-state. These inscriptions suggest that sling bullets were not only weapons but also a form of military propaganda, showing how even simple projectiles could carry messages of intimidation or pride.

Greek sling bullets played a vital role in warfare and skirmishes, particularly when used by mercenaries or specialized troops from regions like Rhodes and the Balearic Islands, known for their expertise in slinging. Unlike archers, slingers could fire their ammunition with less equipment and had the advantage of using local materials when lead was unavailable. The effectiveness of the sling bullet persisted for centuries, influencing Hellenistic and Roman warfare.

Measurement:

4 x 1.8 cm