Use of slingers in the Late Roman Army

Use of slingers in the Late Roman Army - Printable Version

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Use of slingers in the Late Roman Army - Jean-Pierre Ollivier - 02-13-2011

My first post here, so apologies if this has already been covered. I gave up digging after the umpteenth prolific entry :grin: .

I'm in the process of painting up an Eastern Late Roman army in 10mm, for the 4th-5th century. I have a batch of lovely slingers by Pendraken (Clibanarium sculpts) and would like to use them, assuming I can find reference to such!

Notitia Dignitatum makes mention of Funditores, but not what they were (in point of fact their very mention might make them an infantry unit rather than skirmishers, even if Funditores is the term for the skirmishers). I should not assume but I imagine that units of light infantry, possibly locally raised, were probably not worthy of formal recording.

Any insight or sighting of these elusive beasties would be appreciated.

Thanks,
JP

Re: Use of slingers in the Late Roman Army - ValentinianVictrix - 02-14-2011

Quote:My first post here, so apologies if this has already been covered. I gave up digging after the umpteenth prolific entry :grin: .

I'm in the process of painting up an Eastern Late Roman army in 10mm, for the 4th-5th century. I have a batch of lovely slingers by Pendraken (Clibanarium sculpts) and would like to use them, assuming I can find reference to such!

Notitia Dignitatum makes mention of Funditores, but not what they were (in point of fact their very mention might make them an infantry unit rather than skirmishers, even if Funditores is the term for the skirmishers). I should not assume but I imagine that units of light infantry, possibly locally raised, were probably not worthy of formal recording.

Any insight or sighting of these elusive beasties would be appreciated.

Thanks,
JP

I think the most quoted reference to slingers in the Late Roman army is in Vegetius. Its probably the case that the slingers and other skirmishers were actually legionarii detailed in the skirmishing role and that there probably were no independent slingshot units.