07-26-2007, 04:31 PM
I think the point of sinew is that it can be stretched considerably without breaking and still return to its normal size.
On the matter of dampness, I have often noticed that the springs of the catapultas shown on Trajan's column appear to be covered by cylindrical casings. Could these be to protect the sinews from damp?
In addition, I feel quite sure that when they were not in use catapults probably had waterproofs goatskin covers to keep them safe from becoming wet. Such a cover could remain on the machine until immediately before it was necessary to actually use it. They covered shields after all. How much more would they have been inclined to protect a catapult which must have cost several times as much in terms of both money and time to construct?
Crispvs
On the matter of dampness, I have often noticed that the springs of the catapultas shown on Trajan's column appear to be covered by cylindrical casings. Could these be to protect the sinews from damp?
In addition, I feel quite sure that when they were not in use catapults probably had waterproofs goatskin covers to keep them safe from becoming wet. Such a cover could remain on the machine until immediately before it was necessary to actually use it. They covered shields after all. How much more would they have been inclined to protect a catapult which must have cost several times as much in terms of both money and time to construct?
Crispvs
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