This was by design (Balearic and Rodian slingers were apparently in high demand as mercenaries), but the team overdid it. If even cheap slingers were that effective, why would anyone use bows?
The interisting fact is that the more padding and heavier ramror was used sligns went out of use.
and assemble a large number of horse archers. That's when all hell broke loose for their neighbours.
Just horse archers and other cavalry are not winning battles just by being there...they aren't anything special when countered with the right tactics or when fighting a compenent army with enough heavy troops and archers or crossbow, there is a reason why the Battle of Lechfeld or Jaffa didn't end well for the side using them.The idea that HA's are magical troops that win battles just by themself without tactics is ridiculous.