Early Classic British

Aughnanure · Post by **Aughnanure** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 6:17 pm

This or something like it would have been in active service along the border with those wild blue blokes up north.

http://198.144.2.125/Siege/SCA%20Catapu ... apulta.jpg[/pic]

joseyclosey · Post by **joseyclosey** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 6:32 pm

The Ballista,

I saw one being demonstrated near Hadrians Wall Northumberland a few years ago by some Roman re-enactors, and i was amazed with the accuracy they achieved. It didnt look as sophisticated as the example in your pic tho Eoin!

Joe

Brian the Brit · Post by **Brian the Brit** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 1:24 pm

Just outside Dorchester stands the largest Iron Age hill fort in Europe, Maiden Castle. Originally Mai Dun (large hill) it was occupied by the Durotriges and, according to one account (now disputed), besieged by Vespasian's legions in AD43.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/ ... Castle.jpg[/pic]

When Sir Mortimer Wheeler excavated the site in 1934-37 he discovered a war cemetery in which was buried a skeleton with a most unusual wound. Clearly the slingstones, spears and arrows of the defenders were no match for the advanced military technology of the Roman army.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/ ... a_Bolt.jpg[/pic]

This section of spine with the ballista bolt head still present can be seen in Dorchester Museum. If you are ever in Dorset both Maiden Castle and the museum are well worth a visit.

Brian

Aughnanure · Post by **Aughnanure** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 3:38 pm

Thanks Brian,

To my lasting regret when I was last in Dorset (1979) I had neither the time nor the knowledge to have a real look around.

I was in Stourpaine, the ancestral village, and didn't even see Hod Hill ! !

Some years later, at Sydney Uni. I was doing a course called Celtic Studies, one section of which was 'Hill Forts of Britain'. That's when I found just how close I'd been to Hod Hill.

Eoin.

Early Classic British

Early Classic British

Roman artillery and its effects