古罗马人 领导 弹弓子弹 - 31 mm (沒有保留價)

“Ancient Roman Lead Sling Bullet (Glandes)

Culture / Period: Ancient Roman
Date / Period: 1st – 2nd Century A.D.
Material: Lead
Dimensions: 31 mm
Condition: Good condition, with surface wear and minor encrustations consistent with age; intact form

No shipping outside the European Union. Due to complex export regulations concerning cultural goods, this item cannot be shipped outside the EU. Please ensure you have a delivery address within the European Union before placing a bid.

Provenance information:
Object Registration ID: 70

The current owner purchased the object from a private collector, N.N., in Tilburg.
The previous owner, a private collector from Tilburg (the Netherlands), stated that the object had been in his collection since an unknown date.
According to the previous owner, the object had previously been part of a private collection in the Netherlands since the 1980s.
No further information concerning the earlier ownership history is available.

Background Information:
This object is a Roman lead sling bullet, commonly referred to as a glans (plural: glandes), a standard piece of military equipment used by Roman auxiliary troops and specialized slingers. These projectiles were typically cast in moulds, resulting in their characteristic biconical or almond-shaped form, which is aerodynamically efficient and designed for stability and impact velocity.

Sling bullets such as this were used in conjunction with a sling—a simple yet highly effective weapon consisting of a length of cord with a central pouch. When swung and released, the sling could propel lead bullets at considerable speed and accuracy. Roman slingers, often recruited from regions with strong traditions in this skill such as the Balearic Islands, were valued for their ability to strike targets at long distances, making them effective both in open battle and during sieges.

Lead was the preferred material for these projectiles due to its density, which allowed for smaller, heavier ammunition capable of delivering significant kinetic force. Compared to stone projectiles, lead bullets were more uniform and could be mass-produced efficiently. Some examples are known to bear inscriptions or symbols, though many, like this specimen, are plain and functional in nature.

Within the Roman military system, sling bullets played a complementary role alongside archers and infantry, providing ranged support. Their use is well-documented in both Republican and Imperial contexts, particularly during campaigns across Europe and the Mediterranean. Such objects are frequently found in former military zones, fortifications, and battlefield contexts, reflecting their widespread use.

The production of sling bullets demonstrates the organised nature of Roman military logistics, where standardised equipment was manufactured and distributed across vast territories. These projectiles were traded and transported along military supply routes, reaching regions such as present-day Germany, France, and the Low Countries.

As an artefact, this sling bullet offers insight into the practical realities of Roman warfare and the everyday equipment of soldiers and auxiliaries. It forms a tangible connection to the ancient world, in which objects of this kind played a direct and functional role in both combat and military training.