Insane Ancient Super Weapons You Never Knew Actually Existed

The Infographics Show・2 minutes read

Ancient warfare featured innovative weapons like the Zhuge Crossbow, Trebuchet, war elephants, Greek Fire, and scythed chariots, each with unique capabilities and strategies to gain an advantage in battle. These diverse ancient weapons were crucial in shaping military tactics and outcomes, showcasing the creativity and ingenuity of ancient civilizations in developing tools for combat.

Insights

  • The Zhuge Crossbow, an ancient Chinese semi-automatic weapon, prioritized speed over power, utilizing poison-tipped arrows for lethal effects, showcasing early innovations in weaponry design for efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Scythed chariots, originating in the Persian military and later adopted by the Romans, were effective against large infantry groups but faced limitations on uneven terrain and dispersed troops, highlighting the balance between innovation and practicality in ancient warfare strategies.

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Recent questions

  • What were some ancient Chinese weapons?

    Zhuge Crossbow, Huolongchushui rocket, Trebuchet.

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Summary

00:00

Ancient Weapons of Warfare

  • Ancient warfare involved armies facing off on battlefields with weapons and armor, sometimes utilizing super weapons.
  • The Zhuge Crossbow was a semi-automatic weapon created in ancient China over two thousand years ago, firing several shots in quick succession.
  • The crossbow was designed for speed rather than power, using poison-tipped arrows for lethal effects.
  • The Trebuchet, a powerful projectile weapon, was developed in ancient China and later improved with a counterweight for increased force.
  • Trebuchets were effective in launching various projectiles, including rocks, incendiary weapons, and even human waste.
  • War Elephants were used in ancient warfare for their strength and size, requiring special training by elephant trainers or Mahouts.
  • Elephants were utilized in battle for carrying archers, heavy equipment, and even had specialized blades attached to their tusks.
  • Greek Fire was an incendiary weapon used by the Byzantine Empire, creating a concentrated burst of flame to ignite enemy ships.
  • The ingredients of Greek Fire remain a mystery, speculated to include naphtha, quicklime, and pine resin.
  • The Huolongchushui, an ancient Chinese rocket, was a multi-stage weapon resembling modern rockets, with ornate dragon features and smaller arrow rockets for multiple strikes.

10:40

Ancient Roman Military Innovations in Warfare

  • Romans utilized chariots in warfare and sports, eventually enhancing them with scythed chariots armed with sharp blades for increased effectiveness.
  • Scythed chariots were designed to mow down enemy soldiers and horses, proving effective against large infantry groups.
  • The scythed chariot originated in the Persian military in the mid-400s BC, seeing heavy use in wars against Greek and Macedonian armies.
  • The scythed chariot's effectiveness waned due to limitations on uneven ground and against dispersed troops, as well as risks of harming their own forces.
  • The Corvus, a Roman naval device, was a bridge attached to ships that could be lowered to puncture enemy ships' decks, allowing Roman soldiers to board and ambush.
  • The Corvus was a controversial invention that nullified Carthaginians' naval superiority, sparking debates on its construction and impact on Roman naval history.
  • Hellenistic warships, massive wooden vessels with multiple oarsmen, were developed by Romans after learning from Carthaginian naval tactics.
  • Lembos, smaller and more maneuverable warships, were favored for stealth operations like espionage and piracy, outperforming larger vessels in effectiveness.
  • Siege towers, towering wooden structures with soldiers and sometimes catapults, were used to breach walled cities, though they had drawbacks like being vulnerable to fire and difficult to transport.
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