Onager
The onager ( lat. " Wild ass ") is a late antique catapult .
description
The limb was stored in a twisted bundle of cables ( torsion gun ) and stretched over a cable pull. The bundles of ropes performed the function of a spring and provided the energy required for throwing. At the end of the limb, one or more projectiles were loaded into a kind of bowl and thrown away by releasing a lock. The projectiles could be thrown 100 to 350 m, depending on the length of the limb.
The onager had two horizontal main beams that were connected by crossbars and tension ropes. They were fixed on the sides by a winch. Washer and rods were used for tensioning. To stop the tensioning arm, which was located between the two main beams, at the end of its swing path, a cushion was attached to the onager, which was located between the two crossbars and absorbed the kinetic energy of the limb. The tension arm or throwing arm was tensioned by means of a winch. The projectile was then placed in a spoon or loop at the end of the projectile arm. A winch cable was connected to the limb and a bolt held it in place. The bolt was knocked loose during the throwing operation. Large blocks of stone were fired against enemy fortresses, several smaller projectiles at once ( shrapnel principle ) rather against enemy troop concentrations . Incendiary devices and animal carcasses (as an early form of biological weapons) were also used as ammunition against hostile cities. The opposing force generated when the limb was braked also set the catapult in motion, the rear end of which bobbed upwards like a wild ass with its hooves ( onager ). Due to this jumping movement, the onager could not be used on walls, battlements, narrow elevations, etc. Onagers were cumbersome to use and quite heavy. They could not be quickly moved into new positions.
During the Roman Empire, the onager was also used as a field gun when it was carried away on a carriage drawn by two oxen. Each legion carried ten onagers (in addition to 55 cart ballists ).
See also
Web links
- http://www.vetoniana.de - Description of a fully functional onager, reconstructed in original size