Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 102 3 Nov 2022
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Greek PB Sling Bullet. Second Servile War, 104-100 BC. AΘHNIѠNOC / NIKH. J. McCaul, On Inscribed Sling-bullets (Oxford, 1864), p. 2, 4 and p. 5; Roma, e-96, 1717. 29.06g, 33mm x 17mm.
Condition as seen.
From a private European collection.
An example with the same inscription recorded by John McCaul is attributed to the Second Servile War, an unsuccessful slave uprising against the Roman Republic in Sicily (see references). According to McCaul, the Athenion being referred to on this sling bullet was the general who succeeded Salvius Tryphon as leader of the insurrection following his death in 102 BC. Athenion is known to have participated in the Battle of Scirthaea against the army commanded by the Roman praetor Lucius Licinius Lucullus and later by that of Gaius Servilius the Augur. The revolt was finally supressed by Manius Aquillius who is said to have killed Athenion and sent 1,000 slaves who surrendered back to Rome to fight in the arena.
Condition as seen.
From a private European collection.
An example with the same inscription recorded by John McCaul is attributed to the Second Servile War, an unsuccessful slave uprising against the Roman Republic in Sicily (see references). According to McCaul, the Athenion being referred to on this sling bullet was the general who succeeded Salvius Tryphon as leader of the insurrection following his death in 102 BC. Athenion is known to have participated in the Battle of Scirthaea against the army commanded by the Roman praetor Lucius Licinius Lucullus and later by that of Gaius Servilius the Augur. The revolt was finally supressed by Manius Aquillius who is said to have killed Athenion and sent 1,000 slaves who surrendered back to Rome to fight in the arena.