Ballista (Noun)
Meaning
An engine that provided medieval artillery used during sieges; a heavy war engine for hurling large stones and other missiles.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Examples
- Medieval armies often deployed the ballista to great effect during sieges of heavily fortified cities and castles.
- The ballista was a crucial part of the ancient Greek and Roman military arsenals, providing a significant advantage on the battlefield.
- Siege warfare in medieval Europe frequently featured the use of ballistas, which were often employed to weaken defensive walls before infantry assaults.
- Ballistas were deployed by both the defenders of Jerusalem and the crusaders during the Siege of Jerusalem in the late 12th century.
- Ancient Greek historians documented the development and use of the ballista as a war engine capable of propelling heavy projectiles over long distances.