ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDS
Modiolus
This page presents some typical finds of catapult components. The construction timbers of catapults are always gone, only metal components have been preserved. Most common among the finds is the modiolus, greek choinix (Marsden 1969 & 1971: "washer"). On each end of a torsion spring there was such a modiolusfor holding the elastic rope coil of the spring.  Therefore in  a two-armed catapult there are always four modioli, two for every spring. Indeed, many finds come with sets of four identical modioli.  Until now about 60 modioli have been found. Nearly all of them have been made from heavy cast bronze, with the Lyon modioli as the only exception (forged iron).

Cremona                       Hatra
Bronze modiolus, diam. 13.6 cm.                         Bronze modiolus (diam. 28 cm)  resting on bronze counterplate.
Produced AD 45 in Mogontiacum  (Mainz)        Mid third century AD
 

Protective cover of torsion springs

Cremona catapult
bronze, width of cover 22 cm, with inscription:
legionis IIII Macedonicae. M. Vinicio II, Tauro Statilio Corvino consulibus, C. Vibio Rufino legato, C. Horatio ...o principe praetorii  (ILS 2283)
"Catapult of legio IIII Macedonica. Built when M. Vinicius again and Taurus Statilius Corvinus were consuls (AD 45) under the governor (of the province Germania superior) C. Vibius Rufinus through C. Horatius ...o, chief of staff".
 
 
 
 
 

Complete metal fittings of catapult frame
Ampurias (Spain)
Iron fittings of catapult frame with four bronze modioli (only two visible). Ca. 100 BC.
 
  for details, see   Bibliography
                       Back

© D. Baatz,   D-64297 Darmstadt, Germany
   Vers. 14 November, 2000