Comment by shevy-java

7 hours ago

> 14th century

While this death may be the first confirmed from a trebuchet, is that really the first death by a trebuchet? Plus, I'd say catapults are almost identical to a trebuchet in workings, for the most part. I don't quite believe that this was really the first death by catapult.

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shevy-java

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pfdietz  5 hours ago

Catapults store energy using elastic deformation, like a bow; counterweight trebuchets store energy using gravity.

nephihaha  6 hours ago

Didn't the Romans have something similar?

  • johanvts  4 hours ago

    The Romans had onagers and ballista, both of which work via string tension. Then around 6AD it seems string traction (mangonels) where introduced from China and finally counterweight/gravity was introduced in the 12th century.