05-13-2013, 03:59 AM
Most of what I've read seems to cast ranged weapons as a supporting means of winning a battle, but not what one would depend on to get the job done. Even in battles where projectile weapons played a starring role (Agincourt and Carrhae come to mind), there was still a significant hand-to-hand element.
In all of the diagrams of a paper- strength legion I've ever seen, ballista and scorpions seem to be frequently missing. I can't readily recall many instances where they were even mentioned during a field battle, let alone "decisive", but this may just be that their presence was either taken for granted, or not of as much use as the first ten minutes of Gladiator would have us believe
What reference to Roman ballista I do recall have more to do with sieges. Caesar used scorpions to defend his fortifications during the siege of Alesia ,where I imagine they came in pretty handy mounted on top of a tower. During the siege of Jerusalem, ballista were used to keep defenders off the walls, a huge help to the legionaries trying to take a fortified position. Ditto for Maiden castle In Britain.
In all of the diagrams of a paper- strength legion I've ever seen, ballista and scorpions seem to be frequently missing. I can't readily recall many instances where they were even mentioned during a field battle, let alone "decisive", but this may just be that their presence was either taken for granted, or not of as much use as the first ten minutes of Gladiator would have us believe
What reference to Roman ballista I do recall have more to do with sieges. Caesar used scorpions to defend his fortifications during the siege of Alesia ,where I imagine they came in pretty handy mounted on top of a tower. During the siege of Jerusalem, ballista were used to keep defenders off the walls, a huge help to the legionaries trying to take a fortified position. Ditto for Maiden castle In Britain.
Take what you want, and pay for it
-Spanish proverb
-Spanish proverb
