Our new cheiroballista...

[John Conyard]

I certainly like the term iron framed ballista.

None of the points raised are new, but are perhaps new to some reading them.

Reproductions of Roman artillery seem to illustrate many of the limitations of reconstruction. There are varying ways to interpret original drawings, which don't always marry up to archaeological finds. And it is difficult to obtain period materials, which makes it difficult if not impossible to gauge the effectiveness of the original machines. I have yet to see a reproduction machine that could outshoot a good yew warbow.

But modern reconstructions do at least enable people to understand parts of the mechanism, and experiment with the shape and design of bolts. Modern machines certainly fire the public's imagination.

But enough of these platitudes. :wink:

Let's have a shoot out at the Living Frontier event in May.