num_pages: 48
description: The catapult (katapeltikon) was invented under the patronage of Dionysius I, tyrant of Syracuse, in the 4th century bc. At first only the arrow-firing variant was used, and it was not until the reign of Alexander the Great that stone-projecting catapults were introduced. The Romans adopted these weapons during the Punic Wars and further developed them, before introducing the new arrow-firing ballista and stone-throwing onager. This title traces the often controversial design, development and construction of these weapons throughout the history of the classical world.
language: English
title: Greek and Roman Artillery 399 BC–AD 363
titlecomplete: Greek and Roman Artillery 399 BC–AD 363 (New Vanguard)
genres: History, Ancient
ratings_count: 18
series: Osprey New Vanguard
publisher: Osprey Publishing