INSCRIBED SLING-BULLETS. 93 



siles, in military operations, is given, in the Archceologia, vol. xxxii., 

 by Mr. Walter Hawkins, it is unnecessary for me to discuss the 

 subject in this aspect, especially as my object is to treat them not 

 so much historically as epigraphically. A few preliminary remarks, 

 however, may be useful before entering on the examination of the 

 inscriptions. The bullets, which we are considering, were cast in a 

 mould, and bore letters or devices, or both, on two sides or on only 

 one. In form they were more like an almond than an acorn, but 

 many are pointed at both ends: in size, they are generally about 

 one inch and a half in extreme length, and under one inch in ex- 

 treme breadth ; and in weight they are stated* to vary from one and 

 a half to three and half ounces. As slings were frequently em- 

 ployed in sieges,! by both parties, the greater number of the extant 

 specimens have been discovered in or near towns which were besieged. 

 Those that bear Greek inscriptions have been found chiefly in 

 Sicily, but also in Cephallenia and Corcyra, and at Athens, Mara- 

 thon, and Corinth. The following are the principal varieties of 

 inscription : — 



(1) The name of a man : 



JKAAAI5TPAT0Y, §EYB0YAIAA2. 



(2) The name of a place, or of a people : 



§KATANA, IIEAAENI. 



(3) The name of a deity : 



IIHPAKAEI. 



(4) The name of a man in connection with " victory." 



**A©HNION02 NIKH. 



(5) The name of a deity in connection with "victory." 



IIAIOS NIKH, II NIKH I^MHTEPftN. 



(6) Words conveying orders, jokes, or sarcasms : 



tfAEHAI, tJEY^KHNOY, ^TPOrAAION. 

 There are also difierent devices, as a thunderbolt, a leaf, a scorpion. 



• ArchcBolosia, xxxii. p. 104. / 



t Livy, xxxviii. 29 ; Sallust, Jugurtha, 57 ; Appian, de bello Mithridat. 32, 33 Tacitus 

 Annals, xiii. 39. 

 X Boeckhi Corp. Inscrip. Orcee. n. 1866. 

 § Franz, " " " nn. 5570, 5687. 



II Curtius, n. 8530(7. 

 •• Franz, nn. 5570, 5748. 

 tt Curtius, n. 8529. 

 XX Curtius, nn. 8530a, 85306. 



