Discovery of a 2,100-Year-Old Inscribed Sling Bullet in Galilee

A 2,100-year-old sling bullet inscribed with the Greek word “Learn” has been discovered during excavations at the Sussita (Hippos) National Park, located on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. The University of Haifa announced this significant find, which is the first instance of such an inscription found on a sling bullet globally. The bullet, measuring 3.2 x 1.95 centimeters and weighing 38 grams, is believed to have been used by Greek defenders against the Hasmonean army led by King Alexander Jannaeus around 101 BCE.

2,100-Year-Old Sling Bullet Inscribed in Greek Discovered in Galilee Greek City TimesTimes of Israel

Michael Eisenberg, co-director of the excavation and one of the authors of the study published in the peer-reviewed journal *Palestine Exploration Quarterly*, explained that sling bullets were common munitions in the Hellenistic world, primarily made of lead. While most were plain, some featured decorations or inscriptions. The inscription “Learn” may have served as a taunt to enemy forces, suggesting a psychological warfare element. Eisenberg noted that the structure of the word is unique to Greek, implying a self-referential message from the bullet itself, possibly indicating, “I’m learning my job by hitting the enemy.”

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The bullet is believed to date back to the second half of the 2nd century or the beginning of the 1st century BCE, a period marked by military confrontations between the Hasmonean kingdom and Greek city-states. Hippos, founded as a Greek city in the 2nd century BCE, was strategically located along a major road connecting the Sea of Galilee to inland settlements, making it a vital defensive position. Eisenberg speculated that the bullet could have been used in various scenarios, including battles or training exercises.

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The discovery site, near the Roman necropolis of Hippos, has yielded several dozen sling bullets, indicating it may have been part of a battlefield or a defensive zone. The inscribed bullet shows signs of impact, although it remains unclear whether it struck a rock or a person. Eisenberg emphasized that the bullet's discovery contributes to understanding the military history and daily life in the region over two millennia ago.

2,100-Year-Old Sling Bullet Inscribed in Greek Discovered in Galilee Greek City Times

Archaeologists at Hippos-Sussita National Park are optimistic that further excavations will uncover additional artifacts that shed light on the Hellenistic military history of the area. The unique nature of the inscribed sling bullet not only enhances the archaeological narrative but also invites further exploration into ancient psychological warfare tactics.

2,100-Year-Old Sling Bullet Inscribed in Greek Discovered in Galilee Greek City Times

• “ A Unique Archaeological Find According to the researchers, this is the first known sling bullet ever discovered bearing this specific Greek inscription, making it a rare example of ancient psychological warfare.” — Michael Eisenberg, Co-director of Excavation

2,100-Year-Old Sling Bullet Inscribed in Greek Discovered in Galilee Greek City Times

• “Perhaps the idea was [to tell the enemy], ‘Learn your lesson,’ or ‘Next time, you should learn not to come here,’” — Michael Eisenberg, Co-director of Excavation

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• “We don’t know if it was a rock or a person, but there was definitely an impact,” — Michael Eisenberg, Co-director of Excavation

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This discovery not only enriches the historical narrative of the region but also highlights the complexities of ancient warfare and communication.

2,100-Year-Old Sling Bullet Inscribed in Greek Discovered in Galilee Greek City Times