Ancient Science: From Effects to Ballistics Parameters
A well-equipped legionary army prepared to lay siege to Pompeii. Among the weapons deployed along the northern stretch of the city walls were battering rams and mobile siege towers equipped with ballistae and scorpions. The impact marks from Republican-era stone balls and dart tips remain visible to...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| author | Flavio Russo Adriana Rossi |
| author_facet | Flavio Russo Adriana Rossi |
| author_sort | Flavio Russo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | A well-equipped legionary army prepared to lay siege to Pompeii. Among the weapons deployed along the northern stretch of the city walls were battering rams and mobile siege towers equipped with ballistae and scorpions. The impact marks from Republican-era stone balls and dart tips remain visible today between the Vesuvio and Ercolano Gates. In 2002 and 2016, the authors surveyed significant cavities using both direct and indirect methods. The collected data were then used to calculate the volume of fractured stone material. Given the hardness of the wall ashlars, ballistic parameters were quantified based on Hellenistic treatises. The results make it possible to derive dimensions for reconstructing artillery calibrated to the observed effects. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7d4220fa892043ef81d8d65b464fdd28 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2673-4591 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Engineering Proceedings |
| spelling | doaj-art-7d4220fa892043ef81d8d65b464fdd282025-08-20T02:21:11ZengMDPI AGEngineering Proceedings2673-45912025-06-01961210.3390/engproc2025096002Ancient Science: From Effects to Ballistics ParametersFlavio Russo0Adriana Rossi1Archeotecnica.com, 89122 Reggio Calabria, ItalyDepartment of Engineering, Università degli Studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Roma 29, 81031 Aversa, ItalyA well-equipped legionary army prepared to lay siege to Pompeii. Among the weapons deployed along the northern stretch of the city walls were battering rams and mobile siege towers equipped with ballistae and scorpions. The impact marks from Republican-era stone balls and dart tips remain visible today between the Vesuvio and Ercolano Gates. In 2002 and 2016, the authors surveyed significant cavities using both direct and indirect methods. The collected data were then used to calculate the volume of fractured stone material. Given the hardness of the wall ashlars, ballistic parameters were quantified based on Hellenistic treatises. The results make it possible to derive dimensions for reconstructing artillery calibrated to the observed effects.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4591/96/1/2Pompeiiballistic impact cratersterminal ballisticsancient weaponsPhilo of ByzantiumHeron of Alexandria |
| spellingShingle | Flavio Russo Adriana Rossi Ancient Science: From Effects to Ballistics Parameters Engineering Proceedings Pompeii ballistic impact craters terminal ballistics ancient weapons Philo of Byzantium Heron of Alexandria |
| title | Ancient Science: From Effects to Ballistics Parameters |
| title_full | Ancient Science: From Effects to Ballistics Parameters |
| title_fullStr | Ancient Science: From Effects to Ballistics Parameters |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ancient Science: From Effects to Ballistics Parameters |
| title_short | Ancient Science: From Effects to Ballistics Parameters |
| title_sort | ancient science from effects to ballistics parameters |
| topic | Pompeii ballistic impact craters terminal ballistics ancient weapons Philo of Byzantium Heron of Alexandria |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4591/96/1/2 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT flaviorusso ancientsciencefromeffectstoballisticsparameters AT adrianarossi ancientsciencefromeffectstoballisticsparameters |