The Catapult: A History

By Tracey Rihll

Book Overview

A Major Contribution to the History of Technology and Ancient Warfare

The most recognized military device of ancient times and the source of continued fascination and popular appeal, the catapult represented a major shift in the conduct of warfare. The catapult which literally means a device to "hurl an object] across" was originally a sort of crossbow invented at the beginning of the fourth century B.C. in Syrakuse. Bows soon grew to the length of a modern bus, and in due course a completely new and better power source was invented. Instead of compound bows made of stretched sinew and compressed horn, the energy used to launch an object was stored in twisted ropes made of animal sinews: the torsion catapult had arrived. The torsion catapult quickly became the chief weapon of ancient arsenals and gave armies for the first time a weapon that could strike enemies at a distance with devastating effect, including shooting to and from ships, battering fortifications, and sending projectiles over walls. Catapults of all sizes became part of the regular equipment of the Roman army, and were used for centuries across the length and breadth of the empire to seize territory, and to defend it.

In The Catapult: A History, an authority on this device, historian Tracey Rihll, uses ancient literary sources and the latest archaeological findings to tell the story of this first machine of war. Dispelling any notion that the catapult was precision engineered in the modern sense, the author explains how a robust formulaic design allowed a variety of machines and missiles to be used for particular battlefield conditions or military tasks. Also included are details of the author's intriguing discovery that there were little personal catapults that were used like rifles. Although the catapult was displaced by the introduction of gunpowder and cannon, this device marks the beginning of mechanized warfare, the hallmark of modern fighting. Complete with line drawings and photographs, The Catapult is a major contribution to the history of technology and conflict.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 159416035X
• ISBN13: 9781594160356
• Release Date: January 2007
• Publisher: Westholme Publishing
• Length: 380 Pages
• Weight: 1.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.4" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

an excellent guide for accademics and enthusiasts

Tracey Rihlls study of the catapult is the most complete study of Greek and Roman artillery since Marsden. The work does anticipate that the reader has some knowledge of ancient military technology but is well researched, well presented and easy to follow. Her work builds on that of Marsden and whilst she overturns several of his conclusions she does not completely eclipse his work. Marsden is still worth reading for his translations and clear reconstructions. The evidence for small catapults is compelling and convincing. An excellent book for students of military history or other enthusiasts.

Fascinating, but I'd like more

Rihill provides a lot of detail about the history of the catapult from its invention till the late Middle Ages. There's an extensive integration of archaeological evidence with the classical record (including a lot of books I'd never heard of). I have two regrets: one is that more detail would have been nice. A second volume to take the history of the catapult into the Middle Ages would have been very nice too. The book is evidently part of an ongoing argument and the constant references to Marsden's earlier history of the catapult mean you really need to have read that book as well, and perhaps paid some attention to modern catapult reconstruction attempts. It's still worth getting and reading.

Insightful but frustrating study

There hasn't been a serious academic study of ancient catapult technology since E. W. Marsden's "Greek and Roman Artillery" back in 1969. This book reviews the surprisingly large amount of new textural and archaeological data and challenges many of Marsden's interpretations. The strong evidence for 1-man catapults (possibly fired from the shoulder or chest) was particularly interesting and ought to inspire some reenactors to build a few. I can only give this book 4 stars because of two major defects that proper editing should have caught: A) Rihll assumes that the reader already knows a lot about ancient catapults. Key ideas appear without adequate explanation. In fact I would suggest that you read Marsden's two slim volumes before starting this book. B) Whenever she discusses physics, ballistics, or aerodynamics the result is sheer nonsense. How can someone set out to study the most complicated of all "lost technologies" without learning basic Newtonian mechanics???

A Detailed Study of the Ancient Catapult

Tracey Rihll's "The Catapult" is athorough examination of the catapult during Classical, Hellenic, and Roman eras, from its invention in about 399 BCE, not only in its incarnations as large siege engines, but also as field artillery and as a personal weapon (akin to the later Medieval crossbow) and covering both tension (bow) and torsion type catapults, firing both sharp-pointed projectiles (darts, bolts, arrows, spears) and rounded objects (often lead weights and stones). Rihll's approach is often technical, but the author takes care to also describe the use of catapults in numerous sieges and battles. The existence of small "shoulder weapon" catapults may come as a surprise to many, but Rihll provides a wealth of persuasive evidence regarding their use.