It has been two weeks since I submitted my Glandes Perusinae paper. Since then I have had time to reflect on the topic. Below I have provided my introduction and conclusions. As always thoughts, insights, and constructive criticism is always welcome.
Condensed Introduction
Throughout antiquity the sling proved an efficient weapon, particularly during sieges. One interesting phenomenon regarding the use of the sling in antiquity concerns the presence of inscriptions on sling-bullets. These inscriptions, in relief rather than incised, offer a unique vantage point into ancient warfare and history. The inscriptions take many forms and range from a single letter to multi-word inscriptions. One of the many functions of inscribed sling-bullets was to incite violence. An examination of the available evidence demonstrates a traditional discourse of violence where the central themes to promote violence were personal injury and pain. The glandes Perusinae represent a unique assemblage that greatly diverges from the traditional discourse. Rather than inciting violence through personal pain and injury, the inscribed sling-bullets from Perusia incite violence through sex.
Conclusions
Based on an examination of sling-bullet inscriptions from the Greek and Roman worlds five categories emerge: names of cities or peoples, personal names, deities, symbols, and commands and exclamations. Commands and exclamations are particularly interesting because they have the ability to incite violence. The Greek and Latin evidence outlined above employ a specific set of vocabulary (δέχομαι, λαμβάνω, πάπαι,
evomo, pereo, and ferio) where the central themes to incite violence are personal injury and pain. The insults were not directed towards a specific individual but towards whoever encountered the bullet.
The glandes Perusinae represent an assemblage far different from the traditional discourse of violence. The inscriptions incite violence with a different set of vocabulary (landica and culus combined with peto, laxo or its adjectival equivalent, sedeo with a phallic image, and culus combined with pando) where the central theme shifts from personal injury and pain to sex. The insults were directed to specific individuals. If indeed peto is an accurate rendering for CIL XI.6721.5 and CIL XI.6721.7, the two sling-bullets represent the only evidence, as far as I am aware, of speaking inscriptions on sling-bullets. The specific targets, use of first person verbs, and the continuous nature of the exchange evidenced by hastily inscribed forms (CIL XI.6721.14) demonstrate Octavian’s attempt to implicate Lucius and Fulvia as the instigators and aggressors of the Perusine War. Both Octavian and Antony found in Lucius and even more so Fulvia a convenient scapegoat for the Perusine affair.