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

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. Calling all pumpkin chuckers, wannabe marauders, and tinkerers of all ages! Flinging things and playing at defending your own castle has never been more fun. 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. Updated and improved instructions and diagrams illustrate how to build 10 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. Building these simple yet sophisticated machines introduces fundamentals of math and physics using levers, force, torsion, tension, and traction. 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 Jon Crabbe and his ship-mounted catapults; and Edward I of England and his battle against the Scots at Stirling Castle. For the legions of Tolkien fans, budding backyard warriors, and engineering wizards, this book is a must-have. Contents......Page 7 Acknowledgments......Page 10 Time Line......Page 11 Introduction: The Days Before Gunpowder......Page 16 1 Always Be Careful......Page 20 2 The Science of Siege......Page 24 3 Catapults Around the World......Page 36 Spring Engine Catapult......Page 48 Viking Catapult......Page 56 4 Shooting Snakes in a Barrel—The Catapults ofAlexander the Great......Page 66 Alexander’s Artillery: The Macedonian Ballista......Page 79 The Slings of the Ancients:A Ballearic Hand Sling......Page 89 A Thracian Staff Sling......Page 92 5 A Black Flag Flies over Acre—Saladin, Richard,and the Third Crusade......Page 96 God’s Stone Thrower: A Traction-Style Catapult......Page 102 6 Cabulus, the Great Horse Trebuchet......Page 114 Cabulus, the Great Horse Trebuchet......Page 123 7 John Crabbe—Tinkerer, Sailor, Soldier, Spy......Page 134 Making Rope......Page 143 Wild Donkey: An Onager Catapult......Page 146 8 The Hammer of the Scots......Page 156 Ludgar, the War Wolf......Page 164 9 The Sun Sets on Catapult Warfare......Page 174 Basket-Pult......Page 177 Glossary......Page 184 Bibliography......Page 186 Index......Page 188 Back Cover......Page 194 With some scrap wood, rope, hammer, nails, and this book, build seven historic catapults including Ludgar the War Wolf, God's Stone Thrower, Cabulus, and the Wild Donkey -- simple yet sophisticated hurling machines that rely on the fundamentals of math and physics using levers, force, torsion, tension, and traction. Through these exciting projects, the colorful history of siege warfare comes to life -- the stories of Alexander the Great and the 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. For the legions of Tolkien fans, budding backyard warriors, and engineering wizards, this book is a must-have.-- (Source of description unknown) Provides instructions on building seven catapults, including God's Stone Thrower and the Wild Donkey, using common materials. The catapults and related projects described in this book have been designed with your safety foremost in mind.