Can This Ancient Roman Catapult Live Up to its Reputation? 

It's a sad sight seeing those bolts tumbling in the air

Quantum Mechanic: They need Joerg Sprave to get it right...

What Question: I would disagree. You do not need accuracy with such a weapon. It was for example very effective against the fortified villages of Celtic tribes when the Romans conquered Britannica...

not to mention that the entire contraption was put on wheels, the recoil would dislodge the aim with every shot.

@@thomasthetanderloin There is no recoil .

It’s because of the darts they are using if you look closely they are made of wood with a metal tip, whereas the real thing would’ve fired a wholly metal bolt

@@gustavofring9013 Light wooden darts should go FASTER but not as far. The problem isn't with the darts.

@@pixelpatter01 true. The replica is just bad I guess

Well, I had the impression that the portion of the video showing the missile in flight and hitting the target, was in slower motion, but if not, you’re right, it didn’t look like it had the speed to puncture a balloon, and yet it penetrated what looked like 3/4” thick wood.

I would’ve been interested in knowing how authentic was the design specs they were supposedly replicating? And from what I’ve read they used animal tendons and ropes for spring coils, and they never mentioned using chains for anything, but that wouldn’t necessarily mean that they didn’t ever use them. And I’d rather see a replica test of the Romans heavy artillery catapult, that’s supposedly could hurl a 150 pound boulder over 400 yards? And they didn’t mention it, but I would imagine that sometimes if you happened to be one of they’re lucky captives , or just someone they didn’t like too much, you could end up being the boulder, splattered across a walled fortress. You might not of hurt the fortress too much, but you probably wouldn’t of helped the enemies morale any.

exactly lots of information left out for a documentary

alright beast

also heat and stretch would be a factor with expansion and contraction of rope, steel, springs

This was actually a Greek design that Romans simply copied. Romans were obsessed with the Greeks and copied just about everything from them. The Romans hardly contributed to science and technology when compared with the Greeks. Pretty much everything credited to the Romans was actually Greek.

@moo moo The Greeks were influenced by other cultures, however not nearly as much as the Romans were by Greece. The Romans were very fascinated by the Greeks which is why so much Greek influence is seen in Roman culture.

@@Warhero1171 either way, this is a marvel of medieval military might. I wouldn't want to get poked by one of those pointy sticks. Imagine if it hit your shin?! Bruise city, guaranteed.

@@Warhero1171 well the Romans borrowed from a lot more than just the Greeks, we simply have a lot more documentation on Greek culture and technology than, say, Iberian, Phoenician, or Celtic societies. Also bare in mind they were far from the only civilization borrowing from other cultures, the Greeks were no exception. The Romans certainly had plenty of their own innovations that expanded on ideas rooted in other cultures.

@@Warhero1171 yea yea yea you're jealous😢

Because he is a ginger. No one likes gingers.

crossbows more

what is name of it

Lol. I think the grass will survive a couple bolts tossed into it.

How so? We have a lot of archeological evidence of the scorpion, especially of the late roman ones as they were typically framed with metal. Though this design imp articular is an inswinger and I find it inaccurate in many ways.