catapult

     

A catapult is any one of a number of non-hanheld mechanical devices used to throw a projectile a great distance without the aid of an explosive substance—particularly various types of ancient and medieval siege engines.

Trivia about catapult

  • An onager is an ancient one of these devices used to hurl stones
  • Ancient weapon kept a stone's throw from its target
  • The device that launches planes from aircraft carriers is named for this medieval rock-thrower
  • A 15th-century drawing of the medieval variety of this siege weapon is seen here
  • (Alex reports from Masada, Israel.) The Romans would come out of their encampment down below & harry the defenders of Masada by hurling stones such as this one over the walls using this ancient artillery weapon
  • Also called onagers, the largest one could throw a missile weighing 60 lbs. a distance of 500 yards
  • The name of this ancient war device is partly from the Greek for "hurl"
  • The British word for a slingshot is this, an ancient military engine for hurling stones