12-16-2004, 03:05 AM
Lucius,<br>
<br>
The repeating catapulta (polybolos) you mentioned was, I believe, built by Alan Wilkins (although Len Morgan probably had a good deal of input as well - I'll ask him next time I see him) as an experimental model. Schramm, before the First World War, also tried to reconstruct the polybolos and like both Marsden and Wilkins decided on a chain drive reloading action, although he used a bicycle chain. Alan's reconstruction uses a chain made of wood with metal joints. Alan told me the last time I saw him with it that the polybolos was only used for a short time in the third century BC. Based on the fact that his reconstruction produces a very close group of target hits, he has suggested that the reason the polybolos went out of use may have been that it was TOO accurate and that therefore enemy troops may have found it easy to spot the places to avoid standing in. I asked him about the range of movement and he replied (of his reconstruction) that the magazine to hold the bolts made the machine quite cumbersome and thus difficult to traverse easily. He suggested that it was more likely to have been used on a fixed stand.<br>
Hope that helps a little.<br>
<br>
Crispvs <p></p><i></i>
<br>
The repeating catapulta (polybolos) you mentioned was, I believe, built by Alan Wilkins (although Len Morgan probably had a good deal of input as well - I'll ask him next time I see him) as an experimental model. Schramm, before the First World War, also tried to reconstruct the polybolos and like both Marsden and Wilkins decided on a chain drive reloading action, although he used a bicycle chain. Alan's reconstruction uses a chain made of wood with metal joints. Alan told me the last time I saw him with it that the polybolos was only used for a short time in the third century BC. Based on the fact that his reconstruction produces a very close group of target hits, he has suggested that the reason the polybolos went out of use may have been that it was TOO accurate and that therefore enemy troops may have found it easy to spot the places to avoid standing in. I asked him about the range of movement and he replied (of his reconstruction) that the magazine to hold the bolts made the machine quite cumbersome and thus difficult to traverse easily. He suggested that it was more likely to have been used on a fixed stand.<br>
Hope that helps a little.<br>
<br>
Crispvs <p></p><i></i>