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Sticks and stones

• Message 1. 

  Posted by bandick (U14360315) on Monday, 8th March 2010

  With many mentions of the ‘sling shot’ from before biblical times, how effective were they other than to just create a nuisance, and cause a rain of stones to pour from the sky. I believe they are still being used in some parts of the Middle East, but are there any claims of dependable accuracy attached to their use…
  On a visit to a south coast ancient hill fort, there were reports that piles of stones were found heaped around the defences… a very readily available form of ammunition being found in abundance almost anywhere, try digging in my garden, I’ve an arsenal of them… and it was suggested they were for the slings…
  What with the skill required making the long bow… and then to fashion the quantities of arrows required to do battle, that in itself must have been such an arduous job… I assume the sling was perhaps only capable of maybe stunning someone, or hurting them, whereas the arrow was going to kill… but in reality just how do the two types of weapon compare… please excuse the ignorance…
  µþ²¹²Ô»å¾±³¦°ì…
  

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Â鶹ԼÅÄ auto-messages (U294) on Monday, 8th March 2010

  Editorial Note: This conversation has been moved from 'History Hub' to 'Wars and Conflicts'.
  
  Moring to Wars and Conflicts.
  
  Cheers
  
  
  Andrew

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by TimTrack (U1730472) on Monday, 8th March 2010

  Bandick,
  
  The sling shot is capable of a killing shot, I believe. It has been demonstrated on various documentaries.
  
  As with all weapons, skill in use matters a great deal, but it is easier to use than a bow and arrow.
  
  However, accuracy of hit is more important than with most weapons. Basically, it needs to hit un-protected flesh. A head shot is the only likely kill. But, at close range, a head shot is achievable.
  
  You mention the 'nuisance effect'. I think this also mattered. Sling shot troops would be used to harrass enemy formations in open battle, slowing them and distracting them, in addition to the casualties.

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• Message 4

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  Posted by englishvote (U5473482) on Tuesday, 9th March 2010

  The sling is a very effective weapon and probably the cheapest weapon there is for hitting a target at distance. It is largely ignored in popular history in favour of the bow but in many ways it is a better weapon.
  
  In ancient times there was an abundance of well trained fit young men capable of using the sling even in the poorest societies. It was the main weapon used by shepherds to protect their flocks from wolves and foxes, if the shepherd could hit a running fox it is certain they could hit a marching soldier.
  
  More sophisticated armies used the sling just as much as poor societies, the Roman army used the sling extensively and every soldier received training in its use.
  
  Roman sling shot was cast in lead and even made from clay to ensure a smooth surface and an accurate flight to its target.
  The impact of a lead shot hitting a human would inflict serious injury and even an iron helmet would not protect the head enough to prevent concussion. The sling was a more effective weapon than the bow against heavily armoured cavalry because of the concussion caused by the shot, whereas an arrow would normally deflect off armour.
  
  Light troops using the sling could also carry and use a shield so they could defend themselves from missiles thrown by the enemy.
  Thus slingers could rain down shot onto archers while still protecting themselves to some degree from the incoming arrows, while the archers would be unable to protect themselves from the sling shot.
  
  Many light troops in the ancient world used the javelin as their main weapon but the sling would out range a javelin by a long way. Even though the javelin equipped light troops could use a shield the sling shot is very hard to see in flight and thus difficult to block or dodge.
  

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• Message 5

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  Posted by Sambista (U4068266) on Thursday, 11th March 2010

  Balearic slingers were often to be found as auxiliaries in Roman armies. If the sling were ineffective, I doubt that would be the case. I suppose one can also consider the use of the xistera as a stone-thrower a relative of the sling - and Inuit throwing sticks, atlatls and woomeras as equivalent "arm-lengthening" devices.

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