Siege Machines
Introduction:
Siege machines might have been ancient inventions built
to bring an enemy to the breaking point, but the modern world
has found a great deal of delight in them as well.
Trebuchets, catapults, and ballistae were once used to
destroy castle walls, to break through a line of troops, or to
throw objects inside castle walls or on enemy ships. Now,
these devices are loved for their ingenious use of science and
math – and sometimes just for the sake of entertainment.
From the Middle Ages to Middle Earth, catapults, trebuchets,
battering rams, ballistae, and more have held our attention
captive.
Indeed, the entertainment industry has tapped into this
fascination for some time: the British comedy Monty Python
and the Holy Grail, the epic Lord of the Rings films, and kid
comedy Night at the Museum have all featured these flinging
devices.
Many of the big guns of siege warfare are so popular that
they are built all around the world either as models, life-sized
constructions, or some variation between the two. From small
models built in classrooms in Trenton, New Jersey, to towering
reconstructions in French chateaux museums, these historic
weapons are capturing the imaginations of young and old alike.
Math, physics, engineering, problem solving, and history
are all topics that can be enhanced by building and using siege
machines. Even building small versions can open up huge
doorways to learning.