© THE TRUSTEES OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM; MUSEUM # 1851,0507.11

ALMOND-SHAPED AMMUNITION. Slingers of the Hellenistic and Roman periods introduced lead pellets, which were produced using a mold. These projectiles often featured symbols or inscriptions, such as this example from Athens that taunts, in high relief, “Take that!” (dexai, in Greek), and carries a winged thunderbolt on its opposite side. It measures 1.5 inches in length and weighs about 3.5 ounces.