Rome, ca. 146 to 6th century CE. A hollow iron spike, with a raised, curved ridge that is part of its socket and sharp blade edges on both on two sides. The ballista, an ancient missile launcher that threw a projectile studded with arrow heads like this one, was used extensively from early Greek warfare into the early medieval period. Early Roman ballistae were made of wood held together with iron plates around the frames. Bolts like this one were loaded into a sliding device atop a stand which was winched back for firing using a ratchet device. Accounts from Roman military encounters suggest that these were highly accurate long range weapons, perhaps even capable of picking off individual soldiers. Caesar used them in his conquest of Gaul and in both of his invasions of Britain; they became standard weaponry in the Roman Imperial period after that. Comes with custom stand. Size: 7.85" L x 1.25" W (19.9 cm x 3.2 cm)

Provenance: Ex-Estate of John Piscopo. Mr. Piscopo was one of the largest collectors of ancient weapons in the US with a collection that spanned all cultures, all ages.
Ex-Estate of John Piscopo. Mr. Piscopo was one of the largest collectors of ancient weapons in the US with a collection that spanned all cultures, all ages.

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#116755

Rust and corrosion to surface but