Manjaniq (Early) # 4

Manjaniq (Early) # 3

Manjaniq (Early) # 2

Rear View showing the sack of rocks that is the weapon's counterwieght.
Note the crossbow fastened to the rear of the weapon, used for the
return of the weapon to "firing" battery.

Manjaniq (Early) # 1

Earliest Form of a Counterwieght; "Manjaniq," as described by al Tarsusi

Pyrotechnic Weapon; Greek Fire Syphon

The hypothetical reconstruction is based upon written descriptions
and one surviving illustration.  A vertical brass pump provides air
pressure via a bronze-bound leather hose to the main tank
consisting of two pieces of copper sheeting soldered together.
Underneath is a small brazier  and a pair of bellows.  Another hose
 takes the heated liquid to the  nozzle.

Redrawn and Enhanced  by Marcus Audens.

Reference: D. Nicolle, "Medieval Soege Weapons (2)," Osprey, 2003, New Vanguard 69.

Torsion-Powered Engine - Byzantine "alakation or ballista"

This weapon is probably a simplified version of a weapon common
during the Roman period.  The weapon could be aimed up and
down and side to side.  It had two separate bow arms  (oak) and
twisted skiens stretched across a wooden frame.  A crosspiece of
iron with a claw is held in place by two staples nailed to the stock.
An iron "key" with a length of rope served as a release mechanism.

Redrawn ad Enhanced - Marcus Audens

Reference: D. Nicolle, "Medieval Siege Weapons (2)," Osprey, 2003, N.V. 69

Torsion-Powered Engine; "Qaws ziyar" by al Tarsusi

The frame of this equipment is unseasoned oak, put together with
half-butt joints, and large iron nails.  Each piece of wood used in
the construction of this weapon was approximately one span (20 cm)
square while the vertical timber at the front of the weapon
was two spans across with bronze plates around both sides
of an arch shaped hole through which the arrow / dart was shot.
Twisted skiens of horsehair and silk were looped around the frame.
In the above drawing the bowstring has been pulled back into a slot
cut into a groove across the top of the horizontal stock.  The oak
trigger pushed up a pin releasing the bowstring.

Redrawn and Enhanced  by Marcus Audens.

Reference; D. Nicolle, "Medieval Siege Weapons (2)." Osprey, 2003, N.V. 69  

Shabakah - 4

Shabakah -3, Back Side

The rear panels of heavy cloth and raw wool has been removed to provide a view of
the rope net  under the over- layers 

Shabakah 2 - End View

Shabakah 1

The above is a screen which was used to protect siege workers from
darts and arrows launched from special catapult siege machines.
 It was designed to stop and hold such missiles.

Da Vinci Catapult, End View - 2

Da Vinci Catapult, End View

Da Vinci Catapult, Front View

Da Vinci Catapult