Roman Imperial Artillery

Contents

Acknowledgements

Preface

Glossary

Weights and measures

Introduction

Greek origins

The menace of the new weapon

The bolt-shooter: accuracy, range and effects

Reconstructing the Roman bolt-shooter    

The new design: the metal frame arch strut cheiroballistra/manuballista

Deciphering the manuscripts: Vitruvius’ ballista

The stone missiles: range and effects

Masada AD 73-74

Qasr Ibrim: artillery in defence. Inscribed stone shot

Artillery in action in the field: Arrian’s battle plan

Burnswark Roman camps and native hillfort, Dumfriesshire

The last stone-throwers

The Hatra stone-thrower and the inward-swinging arms theory

Survival

The Roman achievement

Future search and research

The Roman origin of the mediaeval revolving-nut crossbow release

Review of 2021 TV film on Burnswark Hill, ‘Massacre on Hadrian’s Wall’

Sources and references to artillery

About the Author

Alan Wilkins studied Classics at Lancaster Royal Grammar School and read the subject at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, specialising in ancient history and archaeology under Professors Jocelyn Toynbee and A. G. Woodhead. He spent several years excavating on Roman military and civilian sites in Britain, and was a field assistant to Sir Ian Richmond for 17 years. He lectured on Greek and Roman Civilisation for Liverpool University’s Extra-Mural Department, and was one of the pioneers of the JACT evidence-based teaching of Greek and Roman history. After 30 years teaching Classics at Woodbridge School, Merchant Taylors School, Crosby and Annan Academy, he turned to the subject of Greek and Roman artillery, following the tragic early death of his friend Dr Eric Marsden. He has attempted to maintain the momentum of Eric’s research into the subject. He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London.

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