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15 Incredibly Effective Ancient Weapons

Top Fives・24 minutes read

Ancient weapons like the polybolos and arumi showcased innovative designs for combat effectiveness with various features to target enemies with precision and lethal force. From Greek catapults to Chinese fire lances, historical weaponry evolved over centuries, emphasizing functionality, adaptability, and tactical advantages in warfare.

Insights

  • The polybolos, developed in the 3rd Century BCE by Dionisius of Alexandria, was an ancient weapon resembling a machine gun that could fire multiple projectiles without reloading, designed with flatlink chains over pentagonal prisms for efficiency.
  • Various ancient weapons like the sarisa spear, Gladius sword, and fire lances showcased unique design elements and combat effectiveness, with innovations like the English Longbow and copes spear evolving over time to serve different military purposes and adapt to changing battle conditions.

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Recent questions

  • What is the polybolos?

    An ancient weapon like a machine gun.

  • What is the arumi?

    A whip-like weapon from India.

  • What is the Gladius?

    A Roman legionary's sword.

  • What is the English Longbow?

    A medieval weapon with varying draw weights.

  • What is the Archimedes' Death Ray?

    A mirrored weapon using sunlight.

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Summary

00:00

Ancient Weapons: Evolution and Effectiveness

  • The polybolos, an ancient weapon similar to a machine gun, could unleash multiple projectiles without reloading, developed in the 3rd Century BCE as an improvement on traditional catapults.
  • Greek catapults initially featured large bows drawn back by wenches, later replaced with tight bundles of senu or rope for launching arrows or stones.
  • The polybolos, credited to Dionisius of Alexandria, featured flatlink chains over pentagonal prisms, enabling multiple shots without reloading, with a rotating tray and magazine for loading.
  • The polybolos was primarily used against enemy personnel for precision targeting, but complaints arose about its excessive precision, making it an overkill for human targets.
  • The arumi, a whip-like weapon from India, dates back to the 4th to 2nd centuries BCE, featuring a metal strip connected to a handle with various design variations, including multiple blades for increased lethality.
  • The Gladius, a Roman legionary's sword, excelled in both slashing and stabbing, particularly effective in close-quarter combat, carried on the left side for quick access, showcasing practicality and adaptability.
  • The bogknock, a traditional Indian weapon, featured a central knuckle duster with curved blades, used for slashing and thrusting in close combat, gaining prominence among Maratha warriors and maharajas.
  • The English Longbow, approximately 6 ft in length, emerged during medieval times, with varying draw weights and ranges, proving effective in combat and hunting, akin to an assault rifle in its era.
  • The sarisa, a spear measuring between 180 and 300 in, originated in Macedonia during the reign of Philip II, gaining prominence during Alexander the Great's conquests for its extended reach and defensive capabilities.
  • The copes, originating in Sumer around 2500 BCE, evolved with a distinctive curved shape for cutting, slashing, and thrusting, spreading across the Mediterranean and reaching ancient Egypt, serving as a versatile military tool and symbol of royal power.

15:25

Evolution of Fire Lances and Slingshots

  • Firelance barrels transitioned to metal for durability against explosive blasts in the late 13th century.
  • Early fire lances were bamboo tubes with gunpowder and a slow match, later incorporating projectiles like iron pellets.
  • Metal fire lance barrels emerged around the mid-13th century, leading to the hand cannon.
  • Chinese prioritized fire lances for chaos in battles like Kaii in 1161 and Tangda in 1274.
  • Loading and firing the lance was swift, involving gunpowder, projectile, and ignition by a slow match.
  • Sling, an ancient weapon, used by hunters with animal hide pouches to propel stones at prey.
  • Slingshots had historical significance in hunting and combat, with specialist slingers in ancient armies.
  • Slings enabled stones or spears to cover greater distances, reaching speeds around 100 m an hour.
  • Archimedes' Death Ray, a mirrored weapon using sunlight to set Roman ships on fire during the siege of Syracuse.
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