Nice you´ve  posted the pictures, Chris, the vase fragment is also in the Osprey book you mentioned, Johnny, but the picture of Chris is much better. The slinging start position of the slingers is very interesting, in effect, it  is used by all and seems to correspond to the style of those primitive Greeks. It is really similar to the Greek classic position of later times, unless the sling is over the head to begin slinging immediately. The Greek clasic position, as represented in coins and ceramics, is lower, to the height of the ear and allows better to aim or to concentrate in the target, but at the time of slinging it is necessary to also elevate the sling  over the head.

The depicted  scene it is the defense of a surrounded city at the doors of the wall by slingers (and archers) almost completely naked. The silver vase was not found in Troy, but in Mycenae, it is to say in the country of the Troy attackers, and corresponds to the same myhtical Homeric epoch.

Assuming the slingers on the silver fragment are holding the pouch forward, it appears that one or both of them are left-handed.   I recall a Bible reference to left-handed slingers, though I can't recall where it is.   Why any significance to being left-handed, I wonder?        mgreenfield

I am a left handed slinger.  Apparently there is a higher proprtion of geniuses who are left handed then right. Higher proprtion of madmen too.

I'm a lefty also, so is my mother. My son is left handed. Although I sling with my right hand.

Yes, I think these slingers are right-handed, but it´s interesting the affair of left-handed slingers.

When I read for the first time in the Bible the text of the war of Israel against the Benjaminites, it surprised me that it was valued so much the presence in the Benjamin army of  "700 selected men, all left-handed people, able to hit a hair without failing the shot". It was evident that the characteristic of being left-handed seemed to be a good quality for a slinger. A small investigation on Biology put me clued in the matter: As all we know, our brain is divided in two hemipheres or halves that generally make different functions. The left brain is mainly responsible for the rational functions, the verbal thought, the language, the mathematical calcule, etc. The right brain is responsible for the intuition, the spontaneity, the handling of things, the imagination, the visualization, the feelings and emotions, etc. It has been observed that the left-handed people have the right brain more developed, that they have more functionality in it. It is logical as the right brain controls the left part of the body and vice versa. Then here is the secret. In "the way of the sling" article  I said that accuraccy is better with the intuitive shot, without conscious control or voluntary thought. It was also very important to put into play feelings and emotions to mobilize the spontaneous mechanisms of precision. It´s then clear that the left-handed people have all these capacities more developed than the right-handed, so they will become the best slingers, and in general they will be better in any intuitive discipline.

Well, left-handed buddies, mgreenfield, english, Johnny... the slingers team of the site trust in you for the near future  .

Johnny, nice to be good-different for once!   Makes up for all that stuff with buttons/levers on the wrong side, ...like bolt-action rifles.   Thanks, Hondero!  mgreenfield

I know what you mean about feeling the target.  I too suck at mathematical problems.  I am a very good shot with a bow, and air rifle.  I also kick peoples' asses when it comes to fighting, not because of strength, but because I know in a way where they would hit or something.  All I know is that I can block punches well (at school, for PE, often we go into the fitness area and use sparring gloves to duel.  It is fun, but sometimes it hurts.)  Anyways, I am good at languages, I am too emotional for my own good, and all the other stuff.  I guess that makes me a classic lefty.  I can paint too, (not to your level though, Johnny.  Nice pictures!).  I read somewhere that Civil War (American, of course) sharpshooters on both sides were chosen for having grey eyes and being left handed.
Anyway, as you know, I am staunchly non-religious, but I would like to be part of any group of left handers.  There is way too much discrimination against us.

English
You sound like a real scrapper! I saw something on TV the other day advertising a video on soccer hooligans. I bet you're right in the middle of all that tussle!