Sling (weapon) facts for kids
A sling is an ancient weapon used to throw stones or other small objects very fast and far. It works by swinging a pouch with a stone around to build up speed, then releasing one of the cords to launch the object. Slings were used by people for thousands of years, from ancient times to the Middle Ages. They were effective for hunting and in battles.
Contents
How Slings Work
A sling usually has a small pouch in the middle and two cords attached to it. The thrower places a stone or a special clay bullet into the pouch. They hold one cord firmly and the other cord with their fingers.
To use a sling, the thrower swings the stone in a circle, usually over their head or to the side. This motion builds up a lot of speed. When the stone reaches the right moment in its swing, the thrower lets go of one of the cords. This releases the stone, sending it flying towards the target with great force.
Sling Power and Accuracy
A skilled person using a sling, called a slinger, can be very accurate. They can hit a small target, like a 10 by 10 centimeter square, from about 20 meters away. Slings can also throw objects a long distance, sometimes up to 200 meters. This made them powerful weapons in ancient battles.
Famous Slingers in History
Slings have been used by many people throughout history. One of the most famous stories about a slinger is from the Bible.
David and Goliath
The future king of Israel, a young shepherd boy named David, used a sling to defeat a giant warrior named Goliath. Goliath was a very strong soldier from the Philistine army. David used his sling to throw a stone that hit Goliath on his forehead, defeating him. This story shows how a simple sling could be very effective, even against a much larger opponent.
Slings in Ancient Times
Slings were used by many ancient civilizations, including the Roman Empire. Roman soldiers sometimes used slings in their armies. People from the Balearic Islands, located in the Mediterranean Sea, were especially famous for their amazing slinging skills. They were often hired as expert slingers by other armies.
Medieval Slingers
Even in the Middle Ages, slings were still used. For example, Spanish peasants used slings to fight against the Moorish cavalry. A well-aimed stone could hit a horse's head and even kill it, which was very helpful in defending their homes. Sometimes, larger versions called "staff slings" were used. These had a longer stick to give even more power to the throw.
Images for kids
-
Girl using (Locally known as 'Gofan') in India
-
Slingers on Trajan's Column.
-
Ancient Greek lead sling bullets with a winged thunderbolt moulded on one side and the inscription "ΔΕΞΑΙ" (Dexai) meaning 'take that' or 'catch' on the other side, 4th century BC, from Athens, British Museum.
-
Artistic depiction of a slinger from the Balearic Islands, famous for the skill of its slingers
-
A South American sling made of alpaca hair
-
Medieval traction trebuchet next to a staff slinger
-
Medieval staff slingers (stern castle)
-
A Tibetan girl guarding a herd of goats slings a small rock.
-
Arab shepherd boy using a sling, c. 1900–1920, Jerusalem
.jpg)
See also
In Spanish: Honda (arma) para niños
