Greek and Roman catapults Catapult

ancient mechanical artillery: catapults (standing), chain drive of polybolos (bottom center), gastraphetes (on wall)



engraving illustrating roman catapult design, 1581



roman catapult-nest in trajan s dacian wars

the catapult , crossbow in greece closely intertwined. primitive catapults product of relatively straightforward attempts increase range , penetrating power of missiles strengthening bow propelled them . historian diodorus siculus (fl. 1st century bc), described invention of mechanical arrow-firing catapult (katapeltikon) greek task force in 399 bc. weapon after employed against motya (397 bc), key carthaginian stronghold in sicily. diodorus assumed have drawn description highly rated history of philistus, contemporary of events then. introduction of crossbows however, can dated further back: according inventor hero of alexandria (fl. 1st century ad), referred lost works of 3rd-century bc engineer ctesibius, weapon inspired earlier foot-held crossbow, called gastraphetes, store more energy greek bows. detailed description of gastraphetes, or belly-bow , along watercolor drawing, found in heron s technical treatise belopoeica.

a third greek author, biton (fl. 2nd century bc), reliability has been positively reevaluated recent scholarship, described 2 advanced forms of gastraphetes, credits zopyros, engineer southern italy. zopyrus has been plausibly equated pythagorean of name seems have flourished in late 5th century bc. designed bow-machines on occasion of sieges of cumae , milet between 421 bc , 401 bc. bows of these machines featured winched pull system , apparently throw 2 missiles @ once.

philo of byzantium provides detailed account on establishment of theory of belopoietics (belos = projectile ; poietike = (art) of making ) circa 200 bc. central principle theory parts of catapult, including weight or length of projectile, proportional size of torsion springs . kind of innovation indicative of increasing rate @ geometry , physics being assimilated military enterprises.

from mid-4th century bc onwards, evidence of greek use of arrow-shooting machines becomes more dense , varied: arrow firing machines (katapaltai) briefly mentioned aeneas tacticus in treatise on siegecraft written around 350 bc. extant inscription athenian arsenal, dated between 338 , 326 bc, lists number of stored catapults shooting bolts of varying size , springs of sinews. later entry particularly noteworthy constitutes first clear evidence switch torsion catapults more powerful flexible crossbows , came dominate greek , roman artillery design thereafter. move torsion springs spurred engineers of philip ii of macedonia. athenian inventory 330 329 bc includes catapult bolts heads , flights. use of catapults became more commonplace, did training required operate them. many greek children instructed in catapult usage, evidenced 3rd century b.c. inscription island of ceos in cyclades [regulating] catapult shooting competitions young . arrow firing machines in action reported philip ii s siege of perinth (thrace) in 340 bc. @ same time, greek fortifications began feature high towers shuttered windows in top, have been used house anti-personnel arrow shooters, in aigosthena. projectiles included both arrows , (later) stones lit on fire. onomarchus of phocis first used catapults on battlefield against philip ii of macedon. philip s son, alexander great, next commander in recorded history make such use of catapults on battlefield use them during sieges.

the romans started use catapults arms wars against syracuse, macedon, sparta , aetolia (3rd , 2nd centuries bc). roman machine known arcuballista similar large crossbow. later romans used ballista catapults on warships.

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