Reconstructing Vitruvius\' ballista

[Moderatus]

I have just completed a provisional version of my article "A suggested reconstruction of Vitruvius'Stone-thrower: de Architectura Book X, 11, 4-9". This offers a revised edition of Vitruvius' text, with all variant readings in the mss, and a description of the full-size 2 librae version constructed by Len Morgan. The article will be accessible in the next day or two as a PDF on the Roman Military Research Society's website. Because no parts of this type of stone-thrower have been identified to date we are no better off in that respect than Erwin Schramm in the early 20th century. So hopefully a better understanding of the Latin text (Schramm did not publish the ms variant readings) will bring some improvements in our understanding of this machine.

[Peroni]

The full article by Alan Wilkins on Vitruvius’ Stone-thrower is now available via the RMRS's website. Simply click on the images to download the full .pdf file.


http://www.romanarmy.net/stonethrower.htm

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

While I haven't had time to read it fully, it looks to be an excellent article!
Thanks for sharing this with us Alan!