Catapult stone balls size? - Printable Version +- RomanArmyTalk (https://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat) +-- Forum: Research Arena (https://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat/forumdisplay.php?fid=4) +--- Forum: Roman Military History & Archaeology (https://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat/forumdisplay.php?fid=8) +--- Thread: Catapult stone balls size? (/showthread.php?tid=8405)

Catapult stone balls size? - Arahne - 02-14-2007 Help.Help. In brief I need help regarding stone balls size. Have few of them in castrum SIng, just on skethes. Going to search for them in future, and if I find them will post pics. Re: Catapult stone balls size? - aitor iriarte - 02-14-2007 Hi Stefan, Ballista balls were classed according to their weights. Therefore, If you find them, you'll need to record diameter and weight. According to ancient writers, they can range from tiny orange-sized 2 mina (873.2 grams) to the huge 3 talents (78,588 grams). Good luck (We'll keep our fingers crossed)! Aitor Re: Catapult stone balls size? - D B Campbell - 02-14-2007 Look out for "round-ness", Stefan. A bona fide ballista ball would need to roll along the chelonion (or grooved channel). I'm convinced that many so-called ballista balls lacking a circular profile were actually roughly-worked stones for throwing by hand. Our colleague Dietwulf Baatz is also extremely skeptical of the smaller sizes, pointing out that the effect of shooting a 2-mina stone would hardly repay the effort and expense of building a suitable machine. (The sledgehammer-and-nut syndrome.) (I'm willing to consider that such small machines were perhaps reserved for particular tasks, such as shooting in cramped conditions.) Re: Catapult stone balls size? - Arahne - 02-14-2007 Thanks ballistarii . I have completely forgot that some of them are allready on line http://dekart.f.bg.ac.yu/~nmrdjic/legio/homeleg.htm Re: Catapult stone balls size? - aitor iriarte - 02-15-2007 Stefan. I don't understand Serbian but do they say that the missiles weigh 200 grams? hock: With diameters ranging 14-18 cm they should weigh more... If the weight is correct, then the stone would be a very light one... I cannot understand.:? In any case, 200 grams would leave them out of artillery :? Aitor Re: Catapult stone balls size? - Arahne - 02-15-2007 Sorry my link is little confusing when you click link>nalazi>ofanzivno oruzje. Yes they say this but I have to examine these info's. Thanks Aitor. Re: Catapult stone balls size? - MARCvSVIBIvSMAvRINvS - 02-16-2007 I have a real one lying about the house... will see wether i can take a reference pic for you and post it.. M.VIB.M.