08-05-2008, 11:30 AM
Thank you very much, Duncan. :!:
At the risk of becoming repetitive, please allow me to request for some further clarifications:
1. Definition: Does the term "crossbow" refer in English only to the hand-held version or also to stand-mounted bow machines? And is it confined solely to flexible bow constructions or also to torsion weapons? Thirdly, if only the medieval version can be justifiedly called a crossbow, but not the gastraphetes, then why is the term also commonly employed in connection with the very different Chinese versions?
2. Now all arrow firing machines leaving aside, what is the earliest evidence for the hand-held 'crossbow'? In my view, if we are insistent on differing catapults from hand-held versions, there yawns a huge gap of several hundred years between the Gastraphetes, dated by Heron to before 399 BC and the earliest appearance of potential crossbow-like weapon such as the cheiroballistra, manu- and arcuballista! What about ancient inscriptions, depictions or archaeological remains of crossbow bolts?
At the risk of becoming repetitive, please allow me to request for some further clarifications:
1. Definition: Does the term "crossbow" refer in English only to the hand-held version or also to stand-mounted bow machines? And is it confined solely to flexible bow constructions or also to torsion weapons? Thirdly, if only the medieval version can be justifiedly called a crossbow, but not the gastraphetes, then why is the term also commonly employed in connection with the very different Chinese versions?
2. Now all arrow firing machines leaving aside, what is the earliest evidence for the hand-held 'crossbow'? In my view, if we are insistent on differing catapults from hand-held versions, there yawns a huge gap of several hundred years between the Gastraphetes, dated by Heron to before 399 BC and the earliest appearance of potential crossbow-like weapon such as the cheiroballistra, manu- and arcuballista! What about ancient inscriptions, depictions or archaeological remains of crossbow bolts?
Stefan (Literary references to the discussed topics are always appreciated.)
