Ancient slingers: The power of a simple stone

 by Mary Harrsch © 2025

I saw this beautifully angled image of Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s “David” on Facebook this morning and it reminded me how masterful Bernini was in capturing the human form in such dynamic poses. I’ve previously mentioned how much I admired Bernini’s Apollo and Daphne when I visited the Villa Borghese back in 2009 and had forgotten about this marvelous work there as well. This particular photographic angle especially emphasizes not only the power of David’s muscles but the lethality of his simple shepherd’s weapon as well. I wish I could have determined the photographer’s name. I searched through Google images but the image, although shared widely on the web, was not properly credited to its obviously talented photographer.

David and his sling by Bernini at Villa Borghese. Photographer unknown.

Slingers were an important and widely used component of ancient military forces, valued for their range, mobility, and cost-effectiveness. The sling is one of the oldest projectile weapons, dating back to at least the Neolithic period (c. 10,000 BCE). Archaeological finds in Egypt and the Near East provide evidence of its use by Sumerians, Assyrians and Egyptians although the use of slingers is documented more prominently in later classical period armies.

Slingers were valued for long range weapons as a skilled slinger could hurl stones or lead bullets (glandes) up to 400 meters, outranging many archers. Sling bullets could reach speeds of over 100 km/h, making them deadly against even lightly armored troops and their ammunition, though often manufactured of molded lead or fired clay in professional armies, could also be found along streams if necessary.

Balearic sling stones courtesy of Wikimedia Commons contributor Museu de Menorca

From the New Kingdom and even earlier, Egyptian slingers used not only river-smoothed stones from the Nile, but fired clay pellets, hardened for greater impact, as well. Such pellets have been found in Amarna and other sites. Scholars have also speculated that Egyptians with their knowledge of advanced metallurgy may have also produced bronze or copper pellets. Slingers were used in battles against the Hyksos, Hittites, and Sea peoples.

Assyrians, Babylonians, and Sumerians also produced molded clay sling bullets often inscribed with cuneiform reading “Expeller of Evil” or kings’ names. Assyrian reliefs of the battle of Lachish show slingers engaged in the city’s siege.

Although poorer Greek troops used stone or clay during the Classical and Hellenistic Period, more elite troops adopted lead pellets during the 5th – 4th centuries BCE, often inscribed with city symbols such as Athens’ owl.

Ancient Greek Sling bullets at the British Museum courtesy of Wikimedia Commons contributor Marie-Lan Nguyen

Pre-Roman Iberian and Celtiberian slingers also used baked clay bullets but adopted lead bullets after conflicts with Romans, Carthaginians, and Phoenician mercenaries. The Greeks and Romans also introduced whistling sling bullets created with holes to produce a terror-inducing shriek in flight. “Cursed” bullets became popular, too, inscribed with insults like “Take this!” and “For Pompey’s back!” dated to the period of Caesar’s civil war.

Tactically, slingers were less hampered by rain than archers, making them more reliable in wet climates—one reason why Balearic and Celtic slingers remained dominant in places like Britain and Gaul. Wet bowstrings (especially those made of sinew or hemp) lost tension, reducing range and power. Composite bows (like those of the Assyrians or Mongols) could even delaminate in prolonged rain. In contrast, leather or woven fiber sling cords absorbed moisture but remained functional. A wet sling might become slightly harder to release smoothly, but skilled slingers adjusted their technique. Fletched arrows could also get waterlogged, destabilizing flight. Sling stones or lead glandes (Roman) were impervious to water and performed better when wet because their density and aerodynamics didn’t change. Although archers needed to keep spare bowstrings dry (often under helmets or cloaks), slingers could carry multiple slings or dry their cords quickly. Some ancient texts suggest slingers wrapped cords around their wrists when not in use to minimize exposure.

Balearic Slinger by illustrator and Wikimedia Commons contributor Johnny Shumate

Although Carthage and Rome hired Balearic Slingers (from the Balearic Islands) renowned for their incredible accuracy and power, Greek and Hellenistic armies used slingers from Rhodes who were also highly respected. In his “Anabasis,” Xenophon describes Rhodian slingers outperforming Persian archers in rainy mountain battles.

One notable Roman battle where slingers played a decisive role was the Battle of the Sucro (75 BCE) during Sertorius’ Revolt in Hispania. Quintus Sertorius, a disaffected Roman general, fielded a large contingent of Balearic slingers to relentlessly harass Pompey the Great’s forces. Pompey’s forces suffered heavy casualties and the constant barrages disrupted his formations. At a critical moment, Sertorius’ slingers targeted Pompey himself, wounding him in the arm and forcing him to withdraw temporarily, demoralizing his troops. Senate forces led by Metellus Pius arrived in time to prevent a total rout, but the slingers' effectiveness showcased their tactical importance. Pompey later adapted by recruiting his own auxiliary slingers to counter Sertorius’ tactics. Years later at the battle of Pharsalus (48 BCE), Pompey employed slingers and archers against Caesar, though Caesar’s cavalry countermeasures neutralized them.

Roman slinger portrayed on the Trajan column. (Photo Credit: Apollodorus of Damascus / Wikimedia Commons)

Slingers remained effective into the Roman Imperial period but were gradually supplanted by more advanced missile troops (e.g., composite bows, crossbows). The rise of heavy cavalry and improved armor reduced their battlefield impact over time although slingers persisted in some regions, such as the Spanish honderos, into medieval times.

David and Goliath carved on the walls of 10th century Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Aghtamar courtesy of Wikimedia Commons contributor Lostinafrica