History of catapults
The first catapult, documented by Diodorus Siculus, was invented in 399 BC in Greece. The catapult
was introduced to Europe during the middle ages. Catapults were an essential weapon in the Middle
Ages because of the rise in personality of fortified castles. Armies used catapults to destroy the walls
of a castle or launched over the walls to deal damage to the interior.
was introduced to Europe during the middle ages. Catapults were an essential weapon in the Middle
Ages because of the rise in personality of fortified castles. Armies used catapults to destroy the walls
of a castle or launched over the walls to deal damage to the interior.
3 types of catapults
The three main types of catapults are the Ballista, the Magonel, and the Trebuchet.
Ballista
The Ballista looks like a large crossbow. It was invented in Greece but was perfected by the Romans.
It consisted of two wooden arms attached to a piece of rope. The rope then attached to a winch,
puled back, which bent the arms, and fired. It was very accurate, however it had very low damage.
Ballista
The Ballista looks like a large crossbow. It was invented in Greece but was perfected by the Romans.
It consisted of two wooden arms attached to a piece of rope. The rope then attached to a winch,
puled back, which bent the arms, and fired. It was very accurate, however it had very low damage.
Mangonel
The Mangonel was invented in 400BC by the Romans. The Mangonel is simply a wooden arm with a bucket on the end
connected to a rope. The tension was stored in the arm, the bucket was loaded, and then the rope was released. The
Mangonel had superior power compared to the Ballista but lacked accuracy.
The Mangonel was invented in 400BC by the Romans. The Mangonel is simply a wooden arm with a bucket on the end
connected to a rope. The tension was stored in the arm, the bucket was loaded, and then the rope was released. The
Mangonel had superior power compared to the Ballista but lacked accuracy.
Trebuchet
The Trebuchet was developed by the Chinese in 300BC. However it didn't make its way into Europe until 500 AD. It was created
to deal maximum damage using a counterweight to launch boulders into castle walls. It consisted of a long wooden arm with a sling on one side and a counterweight on the other. The sling would be loaded and then the counterweight would be raised. The rope holding the weight up would be released causing the weight to fall and the projectile to swing and be launched towards the target. The Trebuchet is the most powerful of the catapults but lacks accuracy.
The Trebuchet was developed by the Chinese in 300BC. However it didn't make its way into Europe until 500 AD. It was created
to deal maximum damage using a counterweight to launch boulders into castle walls. It consisted of a long wooden arm with a sling on one side and a counterweight on the other. The sling would be loaded and then the counterweight would be raised. The rope holding the weight up would be released causing the weight to fall and the projectile to swing and be launched towards the target. The Trebuchet is the most powerful of the catapults but lacks accuracy.
Photo's and Information Citation
"History of Catapults - Physics of Catapults." History of Catapults - Physics of Catapults. Web. 7 Nov. 2014. .
"History of Catapults - Physics of Catapults." History of Catapults - Physics of Catapults. Web. 7 Nov. 2014. .