Making a Roman Ballista Model

I can't find good info on the trigger mechanism for the ballista. From what I understand, the Chelonium or slider is fired forward by lifting the whole chelonium off the ratchets, allowing the bow to spring forward. How is this Chelonium raised?

I've managed to work out the rest of the mechanism and have sketched out the major components. Also got all the wood pieces ready to start cutting now. Only this trigger stumps me.

Any help?

Jieming
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DragonSeedLegacy

It's done.



Jieming
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DragonSeedLegacy


Edited by Liang Jieming

What was the maximum range of a Roman ballista?

Very nice!

Originally posted by Cyrus Shahmiri What was the maximum range of a Roman ballista?

The average sized ballista (more accurately called as catapulta) could probably shoot about half a km. But it really depends on how big you build it, and how big/strong the bundle of ropes are.



Is a bigger variant


Is a smaller version

Smaller versions of the catapulta were also called "scorpions". The big type threw either stones or arrows. By the late empire, the catapultas that threw arrows became designated as "ballista"

BTW, I just noticed that at this site where the pics come from, there's a close up of the trigger, but I guess you've already made it. http://www.legionxxiv.org/ballistacatapulta/



Edited by Imperator Invictus

Hmmm, would you have recommended ballistas to be mounted on tripods?