04-14-2020, 02:09 AM
Traction trebuchets replaced torsion catapults after antiquity because they were easier to built and maintain. Yet, one of the advantages that catapults kept was range. This video made me think that ancient catapults could have retained a useful role as counter-battery fire even against the late medieval counterweight trebuchet. As you can see, the trebuchet has to be positioned quite close to the wall, only around 150-200 m.
This makes it vulnerable to counterfire: Archers, crossbowmen and arrow-firing machines could disrupt its crew and set the wooden trestle on fire. But stone-throwing catapults could hope to outright destroy the machine. They could be positioned outside its range, within the walls if necessary, and could throw stone balls from the safe distance. Yet, in the Middle Ages only the onager is attested, and I have not come across evidence for such a deployment. Any thoughts why the idea never seemed to have occurred to medieval defenders?
This makes it vulnerable to counterfire: Archers, crossbowmen and arrow-firing machines could disrupt its crew and set the wooden trestle on fire. But stone-throwing catapults could hope to outright destroy the machine. They could be positioned outside its range, within the walls if necessary, and could throw stone balls from the safe distance. Yet, in the Middle Ages only the onager is attested, and I have not come across evidence for such a deployment. Any thoughts why the idea never seemed to have occurred to medieval defenders?
Stefan (Literary references to the discussed topics are always appreciated.)
