The sinews of war: a brief history of ancient catapults
Serafina Cuomo
Science: 303 (5659), pp. 771-772 (2004)
Abstract
Until the discovery of gunpowder, the most powerful weapon available was the catapult. The Roman army had stone-throwers capable of hurling projectiles of 27 kilos at a distance of 150 metres, and Archimedes’ legendary engines are said to have used stones three times as big. The construction of catapults or ‘belopoietics’ (poietike – making of – belos – projectile, or projectile-throwing devices) was a key part of ancient mechanics, itself a branch of mathematics which also included fortification building, statics and pneumatics. Belopoietics had a high profile, and attracted the interest and financial support of governments.
On an epistemological level, it combined science, in the form of geometry and physics, and technology. Furthermore, ancient engineers saw their knowledge as cumulative and progressive, and themselves as making an important contribution to the welfare of cities and the power of kings and emperors. In sum, the study of catapults challenges familiar historiographical stereotypes, including the idea that science and technology were marginal to ancient society.
Serafina Cuomo
Science: 303 (5659), pp. 771-772 (2004)
Abstract
Until the discovery of gunpowder, the most powerful weapon available was the catapult. The Roman army had stone-throwers capable of hurling projectiles of 27 kilos at a distance of 150 metres, and Archimedes’ legendary engines are said to have used stones three times as big. The construction of catapults or ‘belopoietics’ (poietike – making of – belos – projectile, or projectile-throwing devices) was a key part of ancient mechanics, itself a branch of mathematics which also included fortification building, statics and pneumatics. Belopoietics had a high profile, and attracted the interest and financial support of governments.
On an epistemological level, it combined science, in the form of geometry and physics, and technology. Furthermore, ancient engineers saw their knowledge as cumulative and progressive, and themselves as making an important contribution to the welfare of cities and the power of kings and emperors. In sum, the study of catapults challenges familiar historiographical stereotypes, including the idea that science and technology were marginal to ancient society.
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