Scorpio (weapon)

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A modern reconstruction of the scorpio.
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The scorpio or scorpion was a type of Roman torsion siege engine and field artillery piece. It was described in detail by the early-imperial Roman architect and engineer Vitruvius[1] in the 1st century BC and by the 4th century AD officer and historian Ammianus Marcellinus.[2]

Design

See also: Torsion siege engine, Onager (weapon), Ballista, and Polybolos

Two versions are known: a horizontal two-armed variety like a ballista and a one-armed, vertical version otherwise referred to as an

Persian wars of Constantius II, and described the one-armed version as synonymous with the onager, with the vertical upraised arm as the 'scorpion's sting'.[2] The complexity of construction and in particular the torsion springs (which the Romans referred to as tormenta) led to great sensitivity to any variation in temperature or moisture, which limited their use. While this type of technology continued to be used in the Byzantine Empire, which was the continuation of the Roman Empire through the Middle Ages, it had disappeared in the Middle Ages in Western Europe. Unlike the onager, the scorpion only required one man to operate it.[4]

Use

In 52 BC, during the siege of

ballistae which "are to be used not only for defending the camp, but also in the field".[7]
The carroballista could be synonymous with, or very similar to, the scorpio mounted (and not merely transported) on a cart.

The bolt-firing scorpio had mainly two functions in a legion. In precision shooting, it was a weapon of marksmanship capable of cutting down any foe within a distance of 100 m (330 ft). In parabolic shooting, the range is greater, with distances up to 400 m (1,300 ft), and the firing rate is higher (3 to 4 shots per minute). With precision shooting the rate of fire was significantly less. Scorpions could be used in an artillery battery at the top of a hill or other high ground, the side of which was protected by the main body of the legion. The weight and speed of a bolt was sufficient to pierce enemy shields, usually also wounding the enemy so struck.

Like other ancient artillery, the scorpion could be cumbersome and costly campaign equipment, as it could be quite difficult to move quickly and usually acted as a fixed weapon used in infantry defense and for sieges,[8] where it was used both as a siege weapon, fired by the besiegers from earthworks and siege towers, and as an element in cities' defences, mounted on walls and towers.

A further development of torsion siege engines scorpio was the cheiroballista.[9]

Media

  • Modern reconstruction
    Modern reconstruction
  • Scorpio in fortified position
    Scorpio in fortified position
  • Scorpio mounted on walls
    Scorpio mounted on walls
  • Dacian scorpio
    Dacian scorpio

References

  1. ^ Vitruvius, De Architectura, X:10:1-6.
  2. ^ a b Ammianus Marcellinus, Roman History, XXIII:4.
  3. ISBN 978-1-134-63179-7
    .
  4. ISBN 978-1-4728-0831-8
    .
  5. ^ Julius Caesar, Commentarii de bello Gallico, VII:25
  6. ^ Gilliver, Kate (2002), Caesar's Gallic Wars, 58-50 BC (Series: Essential Histories); Osprey Publishing, pp 54-55.
  7. ^ Vegetius, De re militari, II, 25.
  8. ^ Cartwright, Mark (February 4, 2014). "Roman Artillery". World History Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on March 14, 2023.
  9. ISBN 0-8061-2794-5

External links
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