02-11-2012, 05:00 PM
Salvete Omnes!
I am quite puzzled about the article "the origins of the composite bow" in the latest Ancient Warfare Magazine (vol V, issue 6). The author (James Bowden) claims that the origins of the composite bow can be traced to Mesopotamia and Sargon I of Akkad. That is okay so far. The thing thay raised my eyebrows was the claim that assyrians preferred the stave or the compound bow over the composite bow. I have always thought that the assyrians perfected the use of the powerful composite bow, especially in siege conditions. The author claims that
"...the stave, or even compound bow would be optimal since a shorter range of fire would have proven sufficient in these situations. A composite bow's range and speed would be limited in shots up towards walls and aimed at higher mountain top positions." (page 52)
Am I missing something here? In my opinion especially these features presented above of the powerful composite bow makes it THE perfect weapon to be used in sieges!!! How can the power of the composite bow be a limiting factor during sieges where you have to shoot upwards!?
I am quite puzzled about the article "the origins of the composite bow" in the latest Ancient Warfare Magazine (vol V, issue 6). The author (James Bowden) claims that the origins of the composite bow can be traced to Mesopotamia and Sargon I of Akkad. That is okay so far. The thing thay raised my eyebrows was the claim that assyrians preferred the stave or the compound bow over the composite bow. I have always thought that the assyrians perfected the use of the powerful composite bow, especially in siege conditions. The author claims that
"...the stave, or even compound bow would be optimal since a shorter range of fire would have proven sufficient in these situations. A composite bow's range and speed would be limited in shots up towards walls and aimed at higher mountain top positions." (page 52)
Am I missing something here? In my opinion especially these features presented above of the powerful composite bow makes it THE perfect weapon to be used in sieges!!! How can the power of the composite bow be a limiting factor during sieges where you have to shoot upwards!?