Catapult (arms)

See also: Catapult

A catapults (Greek katapeltes , of kata “to transpierce” and peltate “shield”) is a Engin of seat able to launch Projectile S at a long distance. Similar to a giant crossbow, the catapult projects large arrow S using a tended cable.

Mechanism

The mechanism of the catapult allows the accumulation of energy in a twisted cable, in order to send a projectile in the shape of arrow, enough heavy to bore several men slips by from there (from where the Greek name kata peltate , driller of shield). The tension of the cable determines the stored force, and thus the range of the weapon.

The catapult is distinguished from the Baliste, which projects stones using an elastic arm (the arrow ) tended behind and released of a blow at the time of the shooting.

The Precision balance, indicated sometimes inaccurately under the name of catapult, employs a Contrepoids rather than torsion or the tension: it functions primarily like a giant sling. The precision balance can aim much more precisely than a catapult.

History

The first catapults appear at the beginning of the IV E by followers of Moïsme in China, the first to have adopted them were Dionysius of Syracuse, Onomarchus de Phocis, and Alexandre Large the, which presented the idea to as well as employ them like cover on the battle field in seats. They were more largely developed during the Roman and medieval time, the Trébuchet being present relatively little of time before the arrival of the powder, which made the catapult more or less obsolete. The catapults were usually assembled with the site even of a seat, and an army generally did not carry or few elements of catapults with them.

See too

External bond

  • Site of the castle of the Beams of Provence

Simple: Catapult

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