06-26-2002, 11:43 PM
My question is this: did the Romans ever use artillery in the open battlefield i.e. not in a siege environment? I'm mainly concerned with the period from the Early Republic (Punic Wars) to the Early Empire up till the 2nd century AD. Most of the sources that I've read suggest that the ballista, scorpio and other similar catapults were only used in sieges, never in the open battlefield. In light of this, were the scenes in the film 'Gladiator' depicting the Romans employing artillery against the German horde inaccurate? Anyway, that period (3rd century AD?) is out of the timeframe which is my primary interest.<br>
<br>
Any information would be greatly appreciated, as I am in the process of constructing army lists for a miniature wargame and am attempting at accuracy. Thank you. <p></p><i></i>
<br>
Any information would be greatly appreciated, as I am in the process of constructing army lists for a miniature wargame and am attempting at accuracy. Thank you. <p></p><i></i>
