A summary of the history, construction and effects in warfare of the projectile-throwing engines of the ancients, with a treatise on the structure, power and management of Turkish and other Oriental bows of mediæval and later times

by Sir Ralph Payne-Gallwey

PART		PAGE
I.	Introductory Notes on Ancient Projectile Engines	[3]
II.	The Catapult	[11]
III.	The Balista	[21]
IV.	The Trebuchet	[27]
V.	Historical Notes on Ancient and Mediæval Siege Engines and their Effects in Warfare	[31]

PREFACE

Since my recent book on mediæval archery and ancient weapons was issued,[1] I have obtained a considerable amount of information concerning the projectile engines of the Greeks and Romans. I now print a concise account of the history, construction and effects in warfare of these engines.

In this summary the additional notes I have acquired are included.

I also append a treatise fully describing that remarkable weapon the Turkish composite bow, which I only cursorily dealt with in the work referred to.

R. P. G.

Thirkleby Park,
Thirsk:
Dec. 1906.

[1] The Crossbow, Mediæval and Modern, Military and Sporting: its Construction, History, and Management. With a Treatise on the Balista and Catapult of the Ancients. 220 illustrations. Messrs. Longmans & Co., 39 Paternoster Row, London.

PART I
INTRODUCTORY NOTES ON ANCIENT PROJECTILE ENGINES

Of ancient Greek authors who have left us accounts of these engines, Heron (284–221 B.C.) and Philo (about 200 B.C.) are the most trustworthy.