Onager

Introduction

The Onager was a type of Catapult with a heavy base frame and a strong vertical frame fixed part way along it. They were powered by the Torsion provided by inserting a single strong arm into a twisted skein of rope, hair, or sinew held between the frames. At the end of the arm was a short sling.

In operation, the arm would be pulled down against the twisted skein using winches and the sling loaded with stones, fire buckets or rotting corpses then released. It was called an Onager (i.e. a type of wild donkey) because as the arm hits against the vertical frame on release, the back end would kick up.

Onagers were deployed to the rear of an advancing army, so they could throw over the heads of the front ranks. When besieging a city, the Battering Ram was employed in destroying the lower part of the wall, the Ballistae were used to attack troops and knock down towers or parts of towers and Onagers as the ‘heavy artillery’ to try and destroy the defences completely.

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Activity: Find out about Roman Siege Equipment (e.g. Vinea, Pluteus, Mantelet, Testudo (model), Musculus, Helepolis, Turris, Corvus, Ballista (aka Scorpion), Onager, Aries (Battering Ram) and construct a working model or models using Stripwood Technology.

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DT Online Buyers' Guide

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Safety Point! Take great care with hot glue guns and all hot-melt glues. The melted glue can stick to the skin and cause severe burns.

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