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Chapter LI
Introductory Notes on the Siege engines Used in Ancient
and Mediaeval Times for Discharging Great Stones and Arrows
In connection with the history of the crossbow
- or as some old writers term it, the manubalista - it will be of interest
to describe among other engines the balista, the original weapon from which
the crossbow is said to have been adapted.
The ancient balista resembled the crossbow in its general construction,
though the former - which was employed for propelling huge darts against
the defenders or besiegers of a fortified castle or town - was of immensely
greater size.1
Fig. 178. - The Trebuchet or Sling
Engine.
Criticism. - As the Arm has been brought into an upright
position by its counterpoises, the stone should have been projected from
the sling. See fig. 212, p. 310.
The three projectile engines used in ancient and mediaeval sieges, were
the Balista, the Catapult and
the Trebuchet. The first named
discharged great arrows and the other two cast pieces of rock and heavy
balls of stone.
The balista and the catapult date from time immemorial but the trebuchet
was an early mediaeval invention. All three engines were employed for many
years after the first appearance of cannon in warfare.
The catapult was sometimes known as Onager.
It was also called a Mangonel.
The word 'scorpion' refers I consider to the balista. Procopius tells us
that the catapult was termed 'onager' or 'wild ass' because it was likened
to this animal, which when harried by dogs kept them off by scattering
stones with its hind feet.
1 The balista had not, however, a bow in one
piece like a crossbow. It had two arms joined by a bowstring, each arm
working independently between twisted cords. See Chapter LVII. |
