Literature/sources on artillery

[Titvs Statilivs Castvs]

Salvete omnes,

I am looking for literature (books/articles) on artillery in antiquity. By this I mean Greek (/Hellenistic) as well as Roman (until late antiquity). I'm looking for academic literature that treats multiple aspects of ancient artillery, but no generalizing or vulgarising (correct word?) books.

I know of the article of B. Hacker (Greek catapults and catapult technology; gives a good overview of the matter, although dating from 1968), the work of Marsden (Greek and Roman artillery) and a recent (2007, second edition 2011) book of Rihll (The catapult: a history).
I'm also interested in opinions on Rossi and Russo (Automatic weapons of the Roman empire).

Primary sources are also welcome.
Any reenactment groups/researchers who have seriously (more or less scientifically) tested (and possibly documented) reconstructions of ancient artillery?


If you know any other information that might help, I'd be glad to hear so.



Many thanks in advance!

Sander

[Tormenta]

On the spot I'm don't remember everything, but
Wilkins: Roman artillery; Wilkins in JRMES on cheiroballistra;
D. Campbell have a few book regarding this theme;
D. Baatz: Bauten und katapulte....


I also believe that I already sow a topic on this somewhere on RAT.

[M. Caecilius]

There is a detailed work on a manuballista found in Xanten: Volume 18 of Xantener Berichte is dedicated to this. The full title and details is

H.J. Schalles (ed), Die Frühkaiserzeitliche Manuballista aux Xanten-Wardt, Xantener Berichte 18, Philipp v. Zabern: Mainz, 2009.

There are chapters on the history of the discovery, description and dating (H.J. Schalles), the excavation and restauration (J. Kempkens, T. Lupak), the proportions and typology (D. Baatz), an analysis of the metal (F. Willer), the creation of the metal parts (B. Asmus), analysis of the torsion ropes (U. Hendriks), and a reconstruction (A. Zimmermann).

Of course, this focuses exclusively on the Xanten Manuballista, and is written in German. Due to lack of time, I have not been able to read the book yet, and cannot give a review for a while yet, but it does rest on my shelf...

[jkaler48]

A few photos collected here:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RomanArtil...bum/0/list

[Crispvs]

As a mamber of an 'artillery rich' group I offer these pieces from our website, complete with pieces from Alan Wilkins.

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

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

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

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

The results of tests we conducted in the late 1990s were published in the JRMES 11 in 1999 under the title 'Scorpio and Cheirobalistra' by Alan Wilkins and Len Morgan

We will also be conducting further tests with the Vitruvian stone thrower in the new year and the collated results of this testing will also be published in due course.

I would recommend reading 'Roman Artillery' by Alan Wilkins and published by Shire Archaeology as a good introduction to what is really a very technical subject.
I would also suggest looking at Duncan Campbell's Oprey Men at Arms book on Roman Artillery. Both should be readily available through Amazon.

Crispvs

[Titvs Statilivs Castvs]

Thanks to you all! This helps me a lot.

[D B Campbell]

I am looking for literature (books/articles) on artillery in antiquity. I'm looking for academic literature that treats multiple aspects of ancient artillery, but no generalizing or vulgarising (correct word?) books.

You're going to love the forthcoming issue of Hesperia! :wink:
[attachment=1922]Hesp80.4Cover_sml.jpg[/attachment]

[Eleatic Guest]

a recent (2007, second edition 2011) book of Rihll (The catapult: a history).

Plus Duncan's less than overenthusiastic review.

+ References

+ Mechanics of the onager

[D B Campbell]

+ Mechanics of the onager

Don't forget Lewis & Hart's recent publication on the Hatra ballista.

[Titvs Statilivs Castvs]

You're going to love the forthcoming issue of Hesperia! :wink:

When is this to be published?

less than overenthusiastic review.

What do you mean?

[Eleatic Guest]

What do you mean?

this

[Titvs Statilivs Castvs]

Ah. Good to know that.

You're going to love the forthcoming issue of Hesperia! :wink:

I know you have also written on artillery. I don't have the time nor the money to buy/read all your books/articles. What can you recommend of your own work if I want an overview? The title in your avatar picture?

[Darth_Roach]

Quick question - is there any possibility artillery could have existed before 399BC?

One could easily imagine some forms of it being used in China (which invented the crossbow), and maybe even is some of the "middle eastern" empires.

[ValentinianVictrix]

There is a very good description in Ammianus Marcellinus of various types of siege engines that he saw in use at the Siege of Amida. There are some descriptions of unusual siege engines in the 'De Rebus Bellicis' that might also be worth looking up.

[Crispvs]

Sander,

For a good overview at an economical price, I would recommend the two books I mentioned above. That is: Duncan's Osprey Men at Arms book on ancient artillery (which is pictured, as you said, in his avatar); and Roman Artillery by Alan Wilkins.

Either will give you a good start but I would recommend getting both for a fuller understanding. Both are very economically priced and both are normally available on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Roman-Artillery-...178&sr=1-2

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Greek-Roman-Arti...=pd_sim_b3

Alan's book appears to be on an absolutely amazing 'seasonal offer' - I hope he manages to get his royalties somehow. hock:

Crispvs