The Balearic Slingers were famous warriors from the Balearic Islands who specialized in using slings as weapons. They were mentioned in ancient sources as valued mercenaries who were trained from a young age. As auxiliaries in the Roman army from 218 BC onward, Balearic slingers fought in many battles and campaigns due to the long range and armor-piercing ability of slings. Archaeological and written sources provide evidence of their role as skilled sling-wielding troops.

1. The Balearic Slingers Christer Samuelsen, Session 1, Ecomuseum 2011

3. Specialised in the sling as their weapon of choice, some sources claim they were trained in its use from early childhood. Sources mentions three sizes of slings.

4. Upon contact with the Phoenicians, they quickly became valued mercenaries, and was later implemented as Auxiliaries in the roman army.

6. Ammunition from clay, stone and lead. Lead being considered the most effective.

7. Easy to construct, classic materials being flax, hemp or wool, on the Balearic Island a type of rush ( reed ) was used.

9. Slings were used to give Roman reserve troops a cheap long-range weapon.

10. The Romans were the first civilization to effectively use slingers in large formations in their armies.

11. From around 218 BC onwards, the Baleares, ”inhabitants of the Balearic Islands”, were the only slingshot warriors used in the roman army.Above ; Late roman slinger

13. Balearic slingers fought on both the side of the Romans and the Carthaginians in the Punic wars.

14. 206 BC, When Magón, brother of Hannibal, attempted to land upon the greater of the Balearic islands (Majorca), the inhabitants hurled their sling-stones in such numbers upon his ships that he was not even able to enter the harbour.

16. Depictions on monuments ( Like Trajans column ), and also on some coins.

17. Archaeological material (slingbullets).Above; Slingers shown on the relief of Trajans column.

18. The Sources

20. Slinging.org

21. The Sling in Literature – Gilleland, Michael .

22. A Brief History of The Sling - Harrison , Chris.

23. The Use of The Sling Among The Ancients - Hawkins ,Walter.

24. http://www.mallorcaincognita.com/historyslingers_english.html

25. "Digital | Attic - Warfare: De Re Militari Book I: The Selection and Training of New Levies ( Digital source ) .

26. Las Baleares, http://www.mallorcaweb.net/foners/historia/BALEARS.pdf