Thegastraphetes (Koine Greek:γαστραφέτης,lit.'belly-releaser'), also calledbelly bow orbelly shooter, was a hand-heldcrossbow used by theAncient Greeks.[1] It was described in the1st century by the Greek authorHeron of Alexandria in his workBelopoeica, which draws on an earlier account of the famous Greek engineerCtesibius (fl. 285–222 BC). Heron identifies the gastraphetes as the forerunner of the latercatapult, which places its invention some unknown time before c. 420 BC.[2]
Unlike laterRoman andmedieval crossbows, spanning the weapon was not done by pulling up the string but by pushing down a slider mechanism.
A fairly detailed description and drawing of the gastraphetes appears in Heron'sBelopoeica (Ancient Greek Βελοποιικά, English translation:On arrow-making), drawn from the account by the 3rd-century BC engineer Ctesibius. The weapon was powered by acomposite bow. It was cocked by resting the belly in aconcavity at the rear of the stock and pressing it down. In this way considerably more energy can be summoned up than by using only one arm of the archer as in the hand-bow.
There are no attestations through pictures or archaeological finds, but Heron's description is detailed enough to allow modern reconstructions. According to some authors, the dimensions of the gastraphetes may have involved a prop.
A larger version of the gastraphetes were theoxybeles used in siege warfare. Earlyballista later supplanted these, which later developed into smaller versions supplanting the gastraphetes.
The design of the gastraphetes according toHeron of Alexandria (click for details)
According to a long dominant view expressed by E. W. Marsden, the gastraphetes was invented in 399 BC by a team of Greek craftsmen assembled by the tyrantDionysius I of Syracuse.[3] However, recent scholarship has pointed out that the historianDiodorus Siculus (fl. 1st century BC) actually did not mention the gastraphetes, but was referring to the invention of the "katapeltikon", a mechanical arrow firingcatapult.[4][5] Since Heron states in hisBelopoeica that stand-mounted mechanical artillery such as thekatapeltikon was inspired by the earlier hand-held gastraphetes, the invention of handheld crossbows into Greek warfare must have thus occurred some unknown time before 399 BC.[4]
Theterminus ante quem may be more precisely defined as being before 421 BC, since another Greek author,Biton (fl. 2nd century BC), whose reliability has been positively reevaluated by recent scholarship,[6] credits two advanced forms of the gastraphetes to a certainZopyros. This Zopyros was probably aPythagorean engineer fromTaranto, Italy.[7][8] He may have designed his stand-mounted bow-machines on the occasion of the sieges ofCumae andMiletus between 421 BC and 401 BC, thus marking the date by which the archetypical gastraphetes must have already been known.[9]
Besides the gastraphetes, theancient world knew a variety of mechanical hand-held weapons similar to the latermedieval crossbow. The exact terminology is a subject of continuing scholarly debate.
Greek and Roman authors likeVegetius (fl. 4th century AD) note repeatedly the use of arrow firing weapons such asarcuballista andmanuballista respectivelycheiroballistra. While most scholars agree that one or more of these terms refer to handheld mechanical weapons, there is disagreement about whether these were flexion bows or torsion powered like the recentXanten find.[10]
TheRoman commanderArrian (c. 86 – after 146 AD) records in hisTacticaRoman cavalry training for firing some mechanical handheld weapon from horseback.[11]
Sculptural reliefs fromRoman Gaul depict the use of crossbows in hunting scenes. Dating to the 2nd century AD, the specimens are remarkably similar to the later medieval crossbow, including the typical nut lock. From their reflexible shape they werecomposite bows.[12][13]
Baatz, Dietwulf (1994), "Die römische Jagdarmbrust",Bauten und Katapulte des römischen Heeres, Stuttgart: Franz Steiner Verlag, pp. 284–293,ISBN3-515-06566-0
Baatz, Dietwulf (1999), "Katapulte und mechanische Handwaffen des spätrömischen Heeres",Journal of Roman Military Equipment Studies,10:5–19
Campbell, Duncan (2003),Greek and Roman Artillery 399 BC-AD 363, Oxford: Osprey Publishing,ISBN1-84176-634-8
Hacker, Barton C. (1968), "Greek Catapults and Catapult Technology: Science, Technology, and War in the Ancient World",Technology and Culture,9 (1):34–50,doi:10.2307/3102042
Diels, H.; Schramm, E. (eds.): "Herons 'Belopoiika'", (Abhandlungen der preussischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Philosoph.-hist. Kl. 2.) Berlin: Reimer, 1918, Chapter 7
Schellenberg, H. M.: "Anmerkungen zu Heron von Alexandria und seinem Werk über den Geschützbau", in: Schellenberg, H.M. / Hirschmann, V. E./ Krieckhaus, A. (eds.): "A Roman Miscellany. Essays in Honour of Anthony R. Birley on his Seventieth Birthday", Gdansk 2008, pp. 92–130
.jpg)
