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A slingshot or catapult is a small hand-powered projectile weapon. The classic form consists of a Y-shaped frame, with two tubes or strips made from either a natural rubber or synthetic elastic material. These are attached to the upper two ends. The other ends of the strips lead back to a pouch that holds the projectile. One hand holds the ...
The Roman onager, a catapult powered by rope torsion, was sometimes referred to as a stone-thrower. Archimedes reportedly designed a steam-powered gun to shoot spherical projectiles using the same principle of gas pressure as a gunpowder cannon. Leonardo da Vinci drew a design for a steam gun that he named "Architronito", citing Archimedes. [2]
Onager with a bowl bucket Sketch of an onager with a sling, a later improvement that increased the length of the throwing arm, from Antique technology by Diels.. The onager (UK: / ˈ ɒ n ə dʒ ə /, / ˈ ɒ n ə ɡ ə /; US: / ˈ ɑː n ə dʒ ə r /) [1] was a Roman torsion-powered siege engine.
Catapults are mentioned in Yajurveda under the name "Jyah" in chapter 30, verse 7. [3] [failed verification] In the 5th century BC the mangonel appeared in ancient China, a type of traction trebuchet and catapult. [4] [5] Early uses were also attributed to Ajatashatru of Magadha in his 5th century BC war against the Licchavis. [6]
This is an accepted version of this page This is the latest accepted revision, reviewed on 6 January 2025. Siege engine using long arm to throw projectiles For other uses, see Trebuchet (disambiguation). Replica counterweight trebuchets at Château de Castelnaud Counterweight trebuchet used in a siege from the Jami' al-tawarikh, c. 1306-18 A trebuchet [nb 1] is a type of catapult that uses a ...
The Helepolis bore a fearsome complement of heavy armaments, with two 180 lb (82 kg) catapults, and one 60 lb (27 kg) (classified by the weight of the projectiles they threw) on the first floor, three 60 lb (27 kg) catapults on the second, and two 30 lb (14 kg) on each of the next five floors. Apertures, shielded by mechanically adjustable ...
The invention of gunpowder weapons replaced only catapults and onagers; the change was slow. Buying guns in those days was a costly affair: the cost of one gun was the equivalent of two months' pay for a skilled artisan. [53] By 1450, inventors improved the make of the gun and introduced the matchlock gun. Though inventors came with new ...
The harpax or harpago (Koinē Greek: ἅρπαγα lit. "grabber, seizer, robber"; GEN ἅρπαγος harpagos) [1] was a Roman catapult-shot grapnel created by Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa for use against Sextus Pompey during the naval battles of the Sicilian revolt. [2] The harpax allowed an enemy vessel to be harpooned and then winched ...