Sling (weapon)

A sling is a type of weapon which involves swinging a rock round to gain speed before throwing it. The sling is an ancient weapon which was used in the Roman Empire. A skillful slinger can hit a target 10x10 cm at 20 metres distance. A sling has operational range for some 200 metres.

The most famous user of sling was David, the future king of Israel, who killed Goliath by slinging a stone on his forehead.

In the Middle Ages, Spanish peasants used slings against Moorish cavalry. A hit on the horse's head could kill the horse.

Sling (weapon) Media

• 

  Girl using a sling (known locally as a 'Gofan') in India

• 

  Home-made sling made from braided cord with sewn imitation leather.

• 

  Sling, home-made from braided cord and red insulating tape.

• Masked Palestinian boys use slings in Ni'lin

• 

  Slingers on Trajan's Column.

• 

  Ancient Greek lead sling bullets with a winged thunderbolt moulded on one side and the inscription "ΔΕΞΑΙ" (Dexai) meaning 'take that' or 'catch' on the other side, 4th century BCE, from Athens, British Museum.

• 

  Artistic depiction of a slinger from the Balearic Islands, famous for the skill of its slingers

• 

  Sling-bullets of baked clay and stone found at Ham Hill Iron Age hill fort.

• 

  A South American sling made of alpaca hair

• 

  Medieval traction trebuchet next to a staff slinger