Alexander : a history of the origin and growth of the art of war from ...

THE CATAPULT. 161effect. At the Hydaspes he detached a cavalry force aboutPoms' right flank with equal foresight and results.The artillery of those days was much improved by Philipand later by Alexander, who was the first to construct themachines, and to mount them on wagons in such a manner asto be able to march them in company with the army as ourfield artillery does to-day. Up to this time these militarymachines had only been used in sieges. Having them athand, Alexander made constant use of them at defiles, againstfield-works, in crossing rivers, and in many sudden emergencies.Philip and Alexander consolidated the artillery intobatteries, and Philip had one hundred and fifty companies onfoot and twenty-five reserve batteries in his arsenals.m//ii//in\ ~^Catapult.The catapult was the invention of the Syrians, according toPHny. It was a species of huge bow, mounted on a platform.The propelling force was usually a twisted cord or gutapplied to the arms of the bow. The bowstring was tightenedby a ^vindlass and released by a spring. The catapultshot huge iron-pointed arrows or pikes weigliing from ten tothree hundred pounds, which had considerable penetration.It may be called the cannon of the ancients.It was capableof carrying nearly one half mile, and was accurate up tofive