Greek Catapults and Catapult Technology
Science, Technology, and War in the Ancient World
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 4021740 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Barton C Hacker (corresponding author) |
| Year | 1968 |
| Volume | 9 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 34 |
| Publication date | 1968-01-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Technology and Culture (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0040-165X • E-ISSN: 1097-3729 |
| Publisher | JSTOR (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.2307/3102042 |
| OpenAlex | W2320630903 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 6 |
Scholars and laymen alike have long displayed a lively interest in ancient catapults.1 Research has focused on the most obvious problem: How did catapults work? Beyond its inherent interest, an answer to this question could perhaps contribute to a fuller understanding of the mechanical technology of antiquity in general. The question itself has largely been answered. Reliable information on the mechanical characteristics of catapults comes primarily from three sources: the Belopoiika of Philon of Byzantium,2 the tenth book of Vitruvius' De architectura,3 and the Belopoiika of Heron of Alexandria.4 Philon and Heron belonged to the school of mechanicians centered at Alexandria in Hellenistic times; the two treatises spring from a single tradition, though Philon flourished about 250 B.C., Heron A.D. 62.5 Vitruvius, a Roman engineer, composed his treatise toward the end of the first cen
Ancient history · Engineering ethics · Science, technology and society · Social science · Sociology · Engineering · Historical Astronomy and Related Studies · Historical, Religious, and Philosophical Studies · History · Mechanics and Biomechanics Studies
| Unique citing works | 6 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,19 |
| Citation span | 1994 - 2026 (33) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 5 |