Research Paper On Catapults

Catapults have been invented by the Greeks, Chinese, and Romans. The first catapults were early attempts to increase the power and range of a crossbow. Catapults were used to launch objects; these objects were either launched at the walls to cause great damage to the fortifications or were launched over the wall to effect on the population within the walls. Catapults were also used to throw objects at enemies. The Ballista is basically a giant crossbow. To have been created by the Greeks and later modified by the Romans. The Ballista was created to increase the range and power of the crossbow, and was the first catapult. Two wooden arms are attached to a piece of rope; the rope was made of hair or sinew. The rope was attached to the beam and pulled back, bending the arm back. When released the Ballista would shoot arrows at the enemy with expert accuracy. However its accuracy was great it lacked the power of the Mangonel and the Trebuchet.
The Springald's design is close to that of the ballista, it was a crossbow propelled by tension. The Springald's frame was more compact, allowing for use inside small spaces, such as the inside of a castle or tower. Also it was the second one built.
The Mangonel consists of a long wood arm with a bucket with a rope attached to the end. The arm is then drawn back, the energy is stored in the tension of the rope. Then the bucket would be loaded. When released the Mangonel's arm would return to its original position, when it came in contact with the beam the arm would stop abruptly, but the objects loaded in the bucket would continue to launch toward the enemy. The Mangonel fired objects in an arc, the angle of the path of the object could be determined by the beam that stopped the Mangonel's arm.The Mangonel was capable of firing 1,300 ft. The Mangonel was the easiest to construct and wheels were included to the design to increase