CATAPULTS IN ANCIENT ART

Pergamon      Relief from balustrade of Athena sanctuary.  2nd century BC (Berlin, Pergamonmuseum)

Arrow-shooting catapult, front view. Hellenistic design with a narrow, timber-built frame. The two torsion springs have been placed as near as possible.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Cupid Gem

Plaster impression of the gem, late Hellenistic or Augustan. Hellenistic arrow-shooting catapult; the only reproduction providing a side view. The gem relates in quite original manner the ancient myth of "Cupido teases Psyche":  Cupido (left) is cocking the catapult.  He has tied Psyche in form of a butterfly to the front of the catapult frame (right). In a moment Cupido will  fire the catapult, piercing Psyche with an arrow.
Width of the gem about 2 cm.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Trajan´s Column, Rome

The reliefs illustrate the two Dacian wars of Trajan (AD 101-102 and 105-106).
Advanced Roman arrow-shooting catapult.

Two legionary soldiers operate a catapult from a timber bastion. New  Roman design:  the weapon is provided with a wide, all-metal frame. The two torsion springs have been placed far apart from each other.

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© D. Baatz,  D-64297 Darmstadt, Germany          Vers. 22 June, 2001