Crossbow
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A crossbow is a ranged weapon using an elastic launching device consisting of a bow-like assembly called a prod, mounted horizontally on a main frame called a tiller, which is hand-held in a similar f
A typical crossbow
Qin and Western Han dynasty crossbow trigger pieces.
16th century crossbow nut excavated at Harburger Schloßstraße, Hamburg-Harburg, Germany
Battle scene depicting a man spanning a crossbow using a winch mechanism, possibly mounted on a frame, Han dynasty
Ballista
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The ballista, plural ballistae or ballistas, sometimes called bolt thrower, was an ancient projectile weapon that launched either bolts or stones at a distant target.
Crossbow
…and western states. The medieval European crossbow was called by many names, including "crossbow" itself; most of these names derived from the word ballista, an ancient Greek torsion siege engine similar in appearance but different in design principle. The Greek crossbow was likely invented independently…
Reconstructed small Roman ballista
![One talent ballista (26 kg [57 lb] weight projectile) was typical for Roman era ballista. The heaviest version ever made was built by Archimedes, and](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/68/Bal_BBC1.jpg/500px-Bal_BBC1.jpg)
One talent ballista (26 kg [57 lb] weight projectile) was typical for Roman era ballista. The heaviest version ever made was built by Archimedes, and used stones up to three talents (78 kg [172 lb]).
Roman 'catapult-nest' on Trajan's Column
Ballista bolt heads