Catapult stone balls size?

[Arahne]

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.

[aitor iriarte]

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

[D B Campbell]

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.)

[Arahne]

Thanks ballistarii . I have completely forgot that some of them are allready on line
http://dekart.f.bg.ac.yu/~nmrdjic/legio/homeleg.htm

[aitor iriarte]

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

[Arahne]

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.

[MARCvSVIBIvSMAvRINvS]

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.