02-23-2005, 05:40 PM
Remnants of what seems to be a manuballista have been found near Xanten, formely Vetera!<br>
According the the little info AFP gave, it is "a metallic frame, 21 X 28 centimeters on which were affixed two wooden arms".<br>
Remnants of the torsion springs made of "rope" (?) were found attached to the arms.<br>
Naturally, Aitor, the story does not say whether it was an in or out-swinger but given the size of the frame I suspect it's a outswinger.<br>
But this is definitely a personal weapon. The AFP story talks about a " Roman crossbow" actually, which it is not. The crossbow was known --and used-- as an arcuballista, but this is definitely a manuballista, and the first one ever found. <p></p><i></i>
According the the little info AFP gave, it is "a metallic frame, 21 X 28 centimeters on which were affixed two wooden arms".<br>
Remnants of the torsion springs made of "rope" (?) were found attached to the arms.<br>
Naturally, Aitor, the story does not say whether it was an in or out-swinger but given the size of the frame I suspect it's a outswinger.<br>
But this is definitely a personal weapon. The AFP story talks about a " Roman crossbow" actually, which it is not. The crossbow was known --and used-- as an arcuballista, but this is definitely a manuballista, and the first one ever found. <p></p><i></i>