ITEM: Sling bullet with inscription 'EYBOYLIDAS' and Fork
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
PARALLEL: DRASKOWSKI, N., & WEISS, P., Neue griechische Schleuderbleie. Tissaphernes und weitere Kommandeure, p. 136 - 143

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 are intriguing artifacts from ancient Greece, offering insights into the military practices and technological advancements of the time. These small, often round or oval-shaped objects were used as projectiles in slings, a common ranged weapon in ancient warfare. Made from materials such as lead, stone, or clay, sling bullets were designed to be hurled with great force, and their effectiveness depended on the skill of the slinger. The bullets typically weighed between 30 to 100 grams, and their size and shape were optimized for aerodynamic stability and impact. The use of slings in battle was prevalent due to their portability and the ease with which slingers could be trained.

One of the distinctive features of Greek sling bullets is the variety of inscriptions and markings found on them. Many bullets were inscribed with names, symbols, or messages, which could serve various purposes. Some inscriptions identified the owner or user of the sling bullet, while others were meant to convey threats or psychological intimidation to the enemy. The presence of these inscriptions provides valuable information about the individuals or groups involved in conflicts and the nature of the battles in which these projectiles were used. Additionally, the inscriptions offer insights into the practice of psychological warfare, where such messages could be used to demoralize or intimidate opponents.

The study of Greek sling bullets also reveals aspects of the broader military and social contexts of ancient Greece. They were used in numerous historical battles, including the famous conflicts of the Peloponnesian War, and their archaeological discovery can help scholars understand the tactics and strategies employed in ancient warfare. Sling bullets provide evidence of the widespread use of slings across different Greek city-states and regions, highlighting the weapon’s role in both offensive and defensive operations. Overall, these artifacts offer a glimpse into the technological, psychological, and strategic dimensions of ancient Greek warfare, reflecting the complexity and sophistication of military practices in the ancient world.