Wujing zongyao
The Wujing zongyao ( Chinese 武 經 總 要 / 武 经 总 要 , Pinyin Wǔjīng zǒngyào , W.-G. Wu-ching tsung-yao - "collection of the most important military techniques ") is a 1044 by Zeng Gongliang (曾 公 亮) with support by Ding Du (丁 度) and Yang Weide (楊 惟 德) on the most important military techniques of that time.
The work includes all types of weapons used in the early Song period. It is divided into 40 chapters, which are divided into two equal sections of 20 chapters each. While the second part mainly consists of recording historical battles, the first part lists chapters on weapons (including repetitive crossbows , catapults, bombs) and military types ( pikemen , cavalry , communication units ). The work listed a recipe for black powder for the first time . It was used in flamethrowers , explosive balls and smoke bombs.
The writings were initially kept secret because they contained military secrets, but were first printed in the early 15th century. The oldest surviving version dates back to 1510. It is therefore possible that some passages were subsequently changed or additions were made. Joseph Needham judges some of the military formations described as "rather fantastic", they "probably stayed on paper."
credentials
- ↑ Needham, p. 26
literature
- Joseph Needham: Science and civilization in China: Vol. 5; Part 6: Chemistry and chemical technology; Military technology: missiles and sieges, Cambridge University Press 1994, ISBN 0-521-32727-X