h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: Antique Catapults - A20180369
Author: Matt - U168592

This is an Update of A468542

Put together by myself and Bob Stafford.

I also have a pic of the Warwick Trebuchet to accompany this Entry

This seems to be well-written. I know nothing about these weapons, so I can't comment on the content.

This Entry won't discuss the Greeks however, it will merely -- change the punctuation in this:

This Entry won't discuss the Greeks, however; it will merely

Change "seige" to "siege" throughout.

Sorted those out

"stone or sand that could weigh up to 5 tonnes" --> five tonnes

If ballistae came first, shouldn't that section come first in the entry? Also if the entry only concentrates on two types of catapaults, is the title still correct for the entry?

Otherwise, looking good!

Yeah I did wonder on moving things about and retitling, but then it's really sort of a new Entry and not an Update if I do that...isn't it?

I'll restructure it and see how it sits

There we go, how's that?

Nitpick attack!

>>The Romans reputedly stole the concept of the catapult idea off of the Greeks<< - does that need both 'concept' and 'idea'?

>>Ballistae were torsion powered catapults<< - 'torsion-powered'

>>In doing so, the ballistae was a weapon<< - 'ballista' for that one (actually, in the second para of the introduction, it could also be singular rather than plural).

>>the ultimate in a variety of rock-throwing seige engines<< - 'siege'

>>Some evidence infers that it may have been the Chinese<< - 'suggests' or 'implies' rather than 'infers'

>>and carried the counter weight<< - you've got it as 'counterweight' further on, which looks better.

>>The later castle wall smashing versions<< - 'castle-wall-smashing'?

>>Even catapults from within castle walls would be aimed at trebuchets in attempts to destroy them, the danger was that much from these terrible machines<< - end of that doesn't sound quite right: '...to destroy them, such was the danger from these terrible machines'?

>>resulted in its self destruction<< - 'self-destruction'

Looking good Matt

Trin - I've sorted those bits out

Looks better now. It's still an update, it's just better organised. Some entries have been entirely rewritten, and still been an 'update', with no original work left. It's handy for all the links that point to the A number of the original entry.

Hi Matt hows it going do you need any more input

the Medieval trebuchet, and the Roman ballista. -- put these the other way around, since they are presented the other way around.

Clever lot those Romans -- this would be better with a comma after lot

The same applies to the Medieval lot later on.

G

Bob - I think we're pretty much there, unless you have some more you want to add?

Gnomon - cheers, I've sorted those out now

Seeing as you asked

Referance the dart in the bones found at maiden castle.

The depictions on Trajan's column

It will add some references

Sorry, Bob, can you elaborate, or post some links? I'm a little lost as to what those refer too

It's okay Bob, I did some research and found out what you were on about!

Have added some info, hope it is okay

If that's all, think this one might be ready! (and I can send in the pic of the Trebuchet I have to accompany it too )

It's looking great, so I'd agree it's ready and a big improvement.

Go Matt looking good

Thanks Eco and Bob - I'm pretty happy with it now too

Thanks for all your help Bob, we done good me thinks

We done good mate.