sling-shot
- Museum number
- 1851,0507.11
- Description
-
Lead sling bullet; almond shape; a winged thunderbolt on one side and on the other, in high relief, the inscription DEXAI "Catch!"
- Production date
- 400 BC-1 BC
- Dimensions
-
Length: 43 millimetres
-
Weight: 105.16 grammes
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- Lead slingshots of this kind probably date no earlier than the later 5th century BC (and examples said to have been found from the battlefield of Marathon, implying an earlier date, cannot reliably be associated with either the battle or indeed the findspot). See detailed discussion in Foss 1975. The type continues in use down into the Hellenistic period and shot of this type have also been excavated from the Pnyx at Athens, associated with the Sullan siege of the city in 87-86 BC (TER).
Bibliography:
Foss, C. 1975, 'A bullet of Tissaphernes', Journal of Hellenic Studies 95, 25-30
- Location
- On display (G69/dc16)
- Exhibition history
-
2023 4 May - 13 Aug, London, BM, G35, Luxury and Power: Persia to Greece
- Acquisition date
- 1851
- Department
- Greek and Roman
- Registration number
- 1851,0507.11