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Roman siege equipment was a huge part of their success in conquering over half of Europe. Their siege equipment was top notch technology, operated by skilled siege engineers. Their two main Siege weapons were the Onager and Ballistae.

 

Onagers

Roman Onagers were basically heavy catapults of their age. They could hurl stones hundreds, if not, thousands of feet. They could hurl both stones from rubble or pots filled with flammable material and set on fire, producing an explosive effect on the battlefield. The onager was used pirmarily for sieges on well fortified cities, but if put to good use, was just as good on an open battlefield in striking fear into enemy troops.

Ballistae

The Ballistas were the most innovative of Roman siege machines. It was like a massive bow and arrow, but so large that it had enough power to laucnh as far as an Onager and pierce more than one man. It also had the power to take down minor defensive installations, however, it was still mainly used as an anti-infantry weapon.