What is a sling? Definition and meaning of the word "sling". The Sling of David
History knows many kinds of cold steel. One of the simplest, most ancient and unusual is the sling. It lasted for thousands of years. And even in the 20th century, a certain time enjoyed popularity in the armies of many peoples.
The essence of the concept
It is not at all difficult to understand what a sling is. The definition of this term is simply a cold throwing weapon made of cloth or leather. In its structure, it must take place in which the stone or core will be held. Strips of fabric and skin are wide in themselves. Especially to re-equip them there is no sense.
If the sling is made of cord, then exactlyin the middle of it a bed of leather is built or something like a hammock. Seeing at least once in a lifetime, each person will forever remember what a sling is.
Operating principle
Even in ancient times the meaning of the word "sling"was explained as a cold throwing weapon, which meant the mandatory presence of objects that must be "fired" at the enemy. To begin with, the device itself is constructed in such a way that the throwing object is held in it. In order not to lose weapons, one end of it with a loop was put on a hand or finger. The second was clamped between the thumb and forefinger in order to release it at the right moment and make a shot.
Speed, power and range are achieved incentrifugal force account. To untwist the projectile, the thrower makes circular motions in a vertical or horizontal plane. At the moment of maximum stress, the free end is released, and the stone flies forward, continuing its movement by inertia.
To the free end did not slip beforetime, it often makes a knot. In general, rotational movements are made in the horizontal plane. Vertically, the sling was untwisted only in a dense formation, since such a movement does not give the exactness and speed of throwing that the slinger can get by spinning the projectile over his head.
Accuracy of throwing
One who knows what a sling is, with confidencewill say that it is very difficult to shoot from it. The novice sling must learn to launch the core, at least in front of him. The thing is that it's not easy to determine the right moment when releasing a rope. The projectile can fly not only forward, but also sideways or back, traumatizing the colleague.
Experienced the same sling at the level of touch feelthe right moment. In addition, they know how to shoot more or less accurately. Of course, it's impossible to get a squirrel in the eye from the sling. But to aim at the head or stomach is quite realistic.
Almost everyone knows the Biblical legend, in whichDavid's sling smashed the giant Goliath on the spot. At that time, the future tsar was a very targeted shooter, which he achieved only by hard work and long training.
Nature of damage
Correctly launched stone or shell from the slingcould get the enemy out of action. This was achieved due to fractures and contusions caused by objects being thrown. The thing is that in ancient times, these injuries were practically untreatable. Many doctors did not even suspect how to provide first aid. As a result, the soldiers became unable to continue to be in the army.
It was not difficult to get to the enemy. The dense structure of the soldier himself contributed to the fact that a stone would fall into it. It was only necessary to reach a sufficient distance. As soon as it was possible, many enemies understood the meaning of the word "sling" in practice. A sufficient distance was considered to be 150-180 meters. The same arrows in prehistoric times gave a range of shooting up to 100 meters.
Sling and arrows: eternal confrontation
Some weapons research historians believe that the sling was popular before the onion appeared. In fact, such a statement does not have any historical evidence.
Regarding the range of fire, bows alsolong time inferior sling. Even the hand-made stone flew about 50 meters further than a special expensive feathery boom. Only with the invention of twice bowed bow this situation changed towards the latter.
And, finally, an important parameter: the cost of shooting. For the sling, any heavy and small object could become a projectile. Even when the special throwing cores were coming to an end, the sling continued to fire, though not so far and aimed, with stones and debris of buildings. Each arrow for an onion was worth a lot of money, and it was not possible to build it from improvised materials.
First mentions
In the ancient epic of the Sumerians, dated 5millennium BC, there is a mention of what a sling. The definition of this concept is quite close to the modern one. Therefore, it can be argued that this is one of the first weapons invented by man.
Further, it is repeatedly spoken of in theThe testament, written a couple of millennia before our era. The most famous of them is the sling of David. There are some disputes about it. There are scientists who suggest that David did not have a sling, but a slingshot or a fustibal. But there is strong evidence that the famous shepherd shot the sling.
On the frescoes of Ancient Egypt also repeatedlythere are images of slingers. Therefore, talking about such references as Illyada or Odyssey, does not seem correct, since at that time the slingers were a professional army, its main strike force supporting heavy infantry and cavalry.
Middle Ages
Even in the Middle Ages, many armies knew whatsling. First, it was the weapon of the lower classes. Secondly, anyone could build it on the battlefield. Therefore, even elite warriors were taught to shoot from this weapon.
Third, sighting from the sling seriouslyled opponents out of action, while the slinger himself could be shielded with his free hand, independently defending himself against enemy arrows and stones, which the archers could not do.
The extinction of the sling's popularity falls at the momentthe invention of firearms. It has become relatively inexpensive, but very effective replacement for the old missile weapon. The sling also ceased to inflict such severe injuries, as the warriors began to show off in sturdy armor, successfully defending against flying stones and arrows, but not from lead bullets.
Second Revival
In the late 19th - early 20th century, the military inventedGrenades, the effectiveness of which depended on the range of throwing. And some soldiers remembered that the sling, built with his own hands from improvised materials, can help in this matter.
The military commanders began to train soldiers to properly use this weapon. As a result, the Spanish Civil War of 1936-39 passed using a sling as a grenade launcher.
Also in the Russian-Finnish war, the Finns did not hesitate to use this weapon to keep the enemy at a significant distance from himself.
But already in 1942 the first mechanical bazooka grenade launcher was invented, and the sling again refused.
Its essential drawback for throwing grenades was considered to be a danger to break if you linger a little with a throw or launch a grenade in the wrong direction.
Relatives of the Sling
By the principle of the operation of these weapons, they tried to build more sophisticated mechanisms capable of increasing the range and accuracy of the flight of the stone. But it was not possible to anyone.
The most popular relative isFustibal. What is a sling of this type, it is clear from his second name - a staff-sling. A stone fastener was attached to a long stick, untwisted and launched. The greatest effectiveness of fustibal showed as a siege weapon. With his help, it was possible to throw shells and infected parts of the flesh into the besieged city.
An interesting option, similar in principleaction, is considered bola (bolas) - a rope with the balls attached to the ends-cores. The entire projectile was launched as a sacrifice to entangle it and prevent it from escaping. It was more often used in hunting for wild animals for the purpose of their further domestication.
Nowadays, as weapons are not at all popularsling. Photo can be found in museums and history books. But there are also such enthusiasts who are engaged in the reconstruction of ancient battles. They study this weapon and try to convey its characteristics to the masses, so that this truly global invention of mankind is not lost in the centuries.
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