Page 79 - All About History - Issue 18-14

MACHINESOFWAR

Whilehumanshadbeenkillingeachotherfor mechanism. The resultant sling action could incredible distances. This was due to their novel
millenniapriortoitsinvention,itwasarguably propelweightsofover100kilograms(220pounds) counterweight-propulsion mechanism, which
onlyinthefirstmillenniumBCEthattheystarted up to an impressive 60 metres (200 feet) and were utilised gravity to rotate the throwing arm.
to bring serious engineering into the equation. useful as anti-infantry machines, crushing man Theconsequenceofthelargerscaleandmore
EmergingoutofChina,theearliesttraction and beast alike. refinedthrowingmechanismmeantthatmissiles
trebuchets evolved from the ancient sling and, Despite the proliferation of the traction weighing over 300 kilograms (660 pounds) could
unlikethelaterandmorefamouscounterweight trebuchet, which spread throughout the East and be propelled up to 300 metres (1,000 feet). Now it
trebuchets,weresmallandbuiltsothatonlyafew thenintotheWestinthelatecenturiesBCE,itwas wasn’tjustmenandanimalsthatneededtofear
people were needed to operate them. not until the 11th century that the more advanced the wrath of the trebuchet, but the inhabitants
This type of primitive trebuchet worked by counterweight trebuchet was introduced. of castles and forts too, with their supposedly
attaching a large sling to a long, wooden throwing Unlike their forebears, these trebuchets were impregnable walls giving little protection from the
arm,whichitselfwasdrawnbackbyhumans far larger, needed huge teams of men to operate rain of rocks, flaming pyres and diseased animal
pullingonlongropesandthenactuatedbylever and were capable of throwing massive weights carcasses hurtling towards them.

SIEGEBREAKER 2. THROWING ARM
Alongwoodenstrutthatpivots
KILL EFFICIENCY: within the trebuchet’s framework,
thethrowingarmisresponsiblefor
COLLATERAL DAMAGE: propelling the device’s ammunition.
SHOCK FACTOR:
ENGINEERING GENIUS:

3. SLING
The trebuchet’s ammunition is held
bythesling,areinforcedleather,
1. COUNTERWEIGHT fabric and rope strapping attached
Ranging from a simple boulder to the end of the throwing arm. The
though to a purpose-built weight- sling is propelled forward by the
carrying container, the trebuchet’s throwingarmtoreleaseitscontents.
counterweight is the component
that grants it its enormous power,
utilisinggravity’seffectonitto
rotate the throwing arm rapidly.

5. PROJECTILE GUIDE
Situatedonthebaseframe,
theprojectileguideisacrucial
component on the trebuchet as even
thesmallesterrorinalignmentatthe
firing end can lead to the projectile
widely missing its mark.

4. BASE AND FRAME
Duetotheweightofthemissiles
thrown,alarge,flatbaseisrequired.
This base is often affixed to the
ground by braces to eradicate any
lateralmovementwhilefiring.A
support frame is also necessary to
preventstressfracturing.

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