The Greeks and Hellenistic states used lead bullets a lot. AFAIK, Xenophon, Anabasis has the earliest literary mention, and they become common in the Greek world at about that time (including the Greek end of Persia).
The Romans followed in Greek footsteps.
Lead sling bullets are effective ammunition, and if I was an ancient military slinger, I would be pleased to have a plentiful supply. I never measured the performance difference between stones and lead bullets, but on the very few times I used them, I felt they gave better range and accuracy compared to stones.
|