Sling Bullet

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© Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery

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Basic Information
Accession Number:	1982A2419
Collection:	Antiquities – Classical Greek & Roman
Date:	250 BC – 50 BC

Notes
The Greeks and Romans both sometimes used cast lead bullets like this. Sometimes they carry little messages – some used by Philip of Macedon say "A present from Philip"! This one has the Roman name Musaeus, but we cannot read the rest yet.The sling was an important weapon across much of the ancient world, although most slingers used rounded, waterworn stones or baked clay balls as bullets. Slings could be lethal – remember the Bible story of David and Goliath.
Transferred by the Trustees of the Wellcome Trust in accordance with an order of Mr Justice Foster, dated 21 March 1977.