on Jun 15, 2015
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11.49gm
Nice, interesting and absolutely original iron bolt head measuring 91mm
The earliest form of the ballista is thought to have been developed for Dionysius of Syracuse, circa 400 BC
All components that were not made of wood were transported in the baggage train
The early Roman ballistae were made of wood, and held together with iron plates around the frames and iron nails in the stand
these could be as heavy as 200-300 pounds (90–135 kg)
After the time of Julius Caesar, the ballista was a permanent fixture in the Roman Army and, over time, modifications and improvements were made by successive engineers
Probable size 1.47 m width, i.e. 5 Roman Feet
Attempts to reconstruct these ancient weapons began at the end of the 19th century, based on the rough translations of these ancient authors
It was only during the 20th century, however, that many of these reconstructions began to make any sense as a weapon
Metal components of a 4th century ballista
The excavated items were made of spruce (Picea) trunk and were between 1.83 and 2.25 metres long
This heavy javelin, known as a Pilum (plural "pila"), was about two metres long overall, consisting of an iron shank, about 7 mm in diameter and 60 cm long, with pyramidal head, secured to a wooden shaft
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