Catapult and Medieval History Presentation
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Transcript Catapult and Medieval History Presentation
CATAPULTS
Physics, Background and History
Definition
A machine that converts POTENTIAL
ENERGY into mechanical motion or
KINETIC ENERGY”
Comes from the Greek word
“Katapultos,” meaning “shield
crusher”
AKA: Siege Engine or Siege Machine
The Invention
The catapult, as we would recognize it
today, was invented by the Greeks about
399 BC but various forms were found in
central Asia much earlier than that
During the war with Carthage, Dionysius
of Syracuse produced the Gastraphetes or
“belly bow” catapult
The Invention continued…
By 330 BC two distinct types of
catapults emerged
One fired javelins (spears) called a
Euthytonon
The other was the stone throwing
Palintonon
How was it used in Medieval times?
First we need to understand the society
of the Middle Ages
Fear was rampant (AKA: Dark Ages)
There was huge disparity between the
rich and poor (Feudalism)
Castles were constructed to protect
nobles (& peasants but only during
crisis)
Castle construction
Moat
Draw bridge
Portcullis
Guard tower/ Barbican
Murder holes
Portcullis
Catapult AKA
Siege Machine or Siege Engine
What is a siege?
One army surrounds an enemy,
keeping help, goods and water from
leaving or entering the castle
Medieval warfare
Infantry (usually the poor)
Archers (trained/ paid military)
Battering Ram
Psychological warfare
Flaming shrubbery and brush
Dead, diseased bodies
Heads of tortured victims
Battering Ram
Catapult Structure & Design
A typical catapult has each of the
following:
Arm
Base
Elastic Force
Fulcrum
Most catapults were made of wood
The elastic force provided by twisted
rope, springs, saplings
The fulcrum is the point of support
for a lever- which in the case of a
catapult is the arm
Factors Affecting Distance
Mass of object being hurled
Strength & flexibility of arm
Mass of arm
Length of the arm
How far the arm is pulled back
Angle of base or release (best angle?)
Small transfer of energy into distortion
Types of Catapults
Roman design and others found
during the Medieval period
Ballista
Roman
Double
armed – like
a bow
Shot large
spears or
javelins
Mangonel or Onager
French
“Engine of War”
Typical catapult
Trebuchet
French meaning “to stumble”
Used a sling with the arm
Extremely accurate
Most advanced of all catapults
Fixed
Counterweight
Trebuchet
Swinging or Hinged
Counterweight Trebuchet