Sling Bullets with the inscription ‘Caesar’ found in Montilla

An extraordinary artifact has emerged from the countryside of Montilla, nestled in Andalusia, Spain. This remarkable find is a lead sling bullet bearing the abbreviated name of Julius Caesar—etched with 'CAES’.

Photo Credit: STILEarte

Discovered alongside the abbreviated inscription of 'IPSCA,' denoting the Roman city on the border of present-day Baena, this artifact presents an unparalleled glimpse into a pivotal epoch of human conflict. The sling bullet was fired from a sling—a hand-powered weapon comprised of retention cords and a central pouch.

The origins of the sling itself harken back to the Upper Palaeolithic era, aligning with the emergence of innovative technologies such as the spear-thrower and the bow and arrow. Through the ages, it found widespread use in Ancient Greece and the Roman period, notably adopted by the Roman Army.

The context surrounding the discovery infers its potential association with the conflict between Julius Caesar and the Optimates during the Second Hispanian campaign of Caesar’s Civil War. Ipsca, once an Iberian oppidum and later a Roman municipality, stood a mere 12 miles from Montilla, while the Roman municipium of Ulia lay just 8 miles north, alluding to the historical significance of the region.

Furthermore, this find could shed light on the elusive Battle of Munda, a subject of prolonged debate among historians. Montilla emerges as a compelling contender for the battle's location, bolstering the significance of this discovery within the broader historical narrative.