Slingers and Sling Bullets in the Roman Civil Wars of the Late Republic, 90-31 BC

Professor Lawrence Keppie studied at the University of Glasgow, Balliol College Oxford, and The British School at Rome, where he was Scholar in Classical Studies. For 30 years he was a curator of archaeology at The Hunterian Museum, University of Glasgow, before retiring in 2003. He has excavated widely on Roman sites in Scotland, and in Italy. His many books include The Making of the Roman Army (1984, 1998), Understanding Roman Inscriptions (1991, 2001) and The Romans on the Bay of Naples (2009). He has held visiting appointments at The Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, N.J., The British School at Rome and The University of British Columbia, Vancouver.

‘Overall, Keppie presents a clear, accessible and engaging discussion of the evidence and its wider context of use, meaning the work is suitable for students and general readers interested in the period and the Roman army, as well as researchers. By framing the evidence within what is known about slingers and their function, Keppie demonstrates not only the role of slingers within the Roman army, but also an understanding of their effectiveness and the various ways this enhances our interpretation of their sling bullets.’ – Hannah Cornwell (2024): sehepunkte 24

• Preface Chapter 1: Slingers and slinging in the Roman worldIntroductionSlings, slingers and sling bulletsInscriptions on lead bulletsBalearic slingersA case study: the siege of Numantia, 134-133 BC Chapter 2: The Social War and the siege of Asculum, 90-89 BC Chapter 3: Sulla, Sertorius and Caesar, 89-50 BCQuintus SertoriusCaesar in Gaul, 58-50 BCSosus, King of Mauretania Chapter 4: Civil war 1: Caesar against Pompey and his sons, 49-45 BCThe battle of Ilerda, 49 BCDyrrhachium and Pharsalus, 48 BCCampaigns in Africa and Spain, 46-45 BCThe battle of Munda, 45 BC Chapter 5: Civil war 2: Caesar’s heirs and successors, 44-42 BCThe battle of Mutina, 43 BCEvents of 42 BC: Calabria, Sicily, Philippi Chapter 6: The siege of Perusia, 41-40 BC Chapter 7: From Perusia to Actium, 40-31 BC Chapter 8: Slingers under the Roman Empire Chapter 9: The role of slingers in battle and their effectiveness Chapter 10: Conclusion Reference 1: Glossary Reference 2: BibliographyEpigraphic corporaReferences Index