Roman Imperial Artillery

Alan Wilkins studied Classics at Lancaster Royal Grammar School and read the subject at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, specialising in ancient history and archaeology under Professors Jocelyn Toynbee and A. G. Woodhead. He spent several years excavating on Roman military and civilian sites in Britain, and was a field assistant to Sir Ian Richmond for 17 years. He lectured on Greek and Roman Civilisation for Liverpool University’s Extra-Mural Department, and was one of the pioneers of the JACT evidence-based teaching of Greek and Roman history. After 30 years teaching Classics at Woodbridge School, Merchant Taylors School, Crosby and Annan Academy, he turned to the subject of Greek and Roman artillery, following the tragic early death of his friend Dr Eric Marsden. He has attempted to maintain the momentum of Eric’s research into the subject. He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London.

Acknowledgements


Preface


Glossary


Weights and measures


Introduction


Greek origins


The menace of the new weapon


The bolt-shooter: accuracy, range and effects


Reconstructing the Roman bolt-shooter    


The new design: the metal frame arch strut cheiroballistra/manuballista


Deciphering the manuscripts: Vitruvius’ ballista


The stone missiles: range and effects


Masada AD 73-74


Qasr Ibrim: artillery in defence. Inscribed stone shot


Artillery in action in the field: Arrian’s battle plan


Burnswark Roman camps and native hillfort, Dumfriesshire


The last stone-throwers


The Hatra stone-thrower and the inward-swinging arms theory


Survival


The Roman achievement


Future search and research


The Roman origin of the mediaeval revolving-nut crossbow release


Review of 2021 TV film on Burnswark Hill, ‘Massacre on Hadrian’s Wall’


Sources and references to artillery