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Roman crossbows (hand ballista?) - Darth_Roach - 02-06-2012
What was the extent of crossbow use in ancient Rome? Were there any combat versions?
Re: Roman crossbows (hand ballista?) - ValentinianVictrix - 02-06-2012
They were certainly in use by the Late Romans according to Vegetius.
Re: Roman crossbows (hand ballista?) - Robert Vermaat - 02-06-2012
We have discussed this before here:
http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat.html?func=view&catid=13&id=284770&limit=20&start=20#286321
here:
http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat.html?func=view&catid=19&id=209820&view=entrypage
and I think even more, but I can't seem to find that thread.
As far as we know, 'true' crossbows (not meaning torsion artillery) was not used in battle, only in hunting.
Re: Roman crossbows (hand ballista?) - D B Campbell - 02-06-2012
Quote:As far as we know, 'true' crossbows (not meaning torsion artillery) was not used in battle, only in hunting.Unless this is Vegetius' arcuballista. Manuballista is obviously his translation of the (torsion-powered) cheiroballistra. (Greek cheir- = Latin manu-; Greek ballistra = Latin ballista.)
Re: Roman crossbows (hand ballista?) - Robert Vermaat - 02-06-2012
Quote:Unless this is Vegetius' arcuballista.Whioch is why I said "not meaning torsion artillery". ;-)
Re: Roman crossbows (hand ballista?) - Darth_Roach - 02-07-2012
Ok thanks for the replies!
Re: Roman crossbows (hand ballista?) - Flavivs Aetivs - 02-07-2012
Quote:D B Campbell post=305913 Wrote:Unless this is Vegetius' arcuballista.Whioch is why I said "not meaning torsion artillery". ;-)
I thought the Arcuballista was not torsion powered - the reconstructions Comitatus uses aren't. And from what ive seen in Murals and my translation of Vegetius they aren't.
Re: Roman crossbows (hand ballista?) - D B Campbell - 02-07-2012
Quote:I thought the Arcuballista was not torsion powered ...I certainly don't think it was torsion-powered. Neither did Eric Marsden. But, to tell the truth, all we know about it comes from Vegetius (2.15; 4.21-22), and he's none too clear.
In 1986 (Bonner Jahrbücher 186, p. 131), I suggested that the Gallo-Roman "crossbow" reliefs might show this weapon. You pays your money ...
Re: Roman crossbows (hand ballista?) - Flavivs Aetivs - 02-07-2012
I've seen those releifs - not in person but through images taken. They depict a hunting scene using crossbows. Thanks Dr. Campbell