The Art of the Catapult: Build Greek Ballistae, Roman Onagers, English Trebuchets and More Ancient Artillery

Science News, July 3, 2004

THE ART OF THE CATAPULT: Build Greek Ballistae, Roman Onagers, English Trebuchets and More Ancient Artillery

WILLIAM GURSTELLE

For ancient armies, the catapult was a formidable weapon in laying siege to castles and forts. Warriors that employed this implement of war include Alexander the Great, Richard the Lionheart, and Edward I of England In a follow up to Backyard Ballistics, Gurstelle instructs engineers, tinkerers, and devilish boys and girls on how to build seven working scale model catapults. With an emphasis on safety, he provides step-by-step instructions and diagrams for some historic models, including Ludgar the War Wolf, God's Stone Thrower, Cabulus, and the Wild Donkey. In the process, he details the physics at play, introducing concepts such as force, torsion, tension, and traction. Gurstelle brings these contraptions to life as he provides historical context for each one. Recommended for age 10 and up. U Ch Pr, 2004, 172 p., b&w photos/illus., paperback, $14.95.