The Art of the Catapult

Description

Whether playing at defending their own castle or simply chucking pumpkins over a fence, wannabe marauders and tinkerers will become fast acquainted with Ludgar, the War Wolf, Ill Neighbor, Cabulus, and the Wild Donkey—ancient artillery devices known commonly as catapults. Building these simple yet sophisticated machines introduces fundamentals of math and physics using levers, force, torsion, tension, and traction. Instructions and diagrams illustrate how to build seven authentic working model catapults, including an early Greek ballista, a Roman onager, and the apex of catapult technology, the English trebuchet. Additional projects include learning how to lash and make rope and how to construct and use a hand sling and a staff sling. The colorful history of siege warfare is explored through the stories of Alexander the Great and his battle of Tyre; Saladin, Richard the Lionheart, and the Third Crusade; pirate-turned-soldier John Crabbe and his ship-mounted catapults; and Edward I of England and his battle against the Scots at Stirling Castle.

First Sentence

The catapults and related projects described in this book have been designed with your safety foremost in mind.

Subjects

Other Editions

• The Art of the Catapult: Build Greek Ballistae, Roman Onagers, English Trebuchets, and More Ancient ArtilleryPaperbackChicago Review Press2004-07-01
• Art of the CatapultChicago Review Press, Incorporated2004-01-01
• Art of the CatapultChicago Review Press, Incorporated2004-01-01
• Art of the CatapultChicago Review Press, Incorporated2004-01-01
• Art of the CatapultLibrary BindingTandem Library2004-07-01
• Art of the CatapultSouvenir Press Limited2007-01-01