Jump to content
UNRV Ancient Roman Empire Forums

Roman siege weapons found at Jerusalem excavation


Recommended Posts

2039930B-F2B3-455E-8B63-35557369E4DF.thumb.jpeg.aabf4741090652bf8010c3d7650baa03.jpeg
Excavation of Roman ballista stones

Using archaeological evidence, historians now have a better appreciation of Roman tactics during Titus’ siege and destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. 

Quote

 

Now new research by the archaeologist Kfir Arbiv of the Israel Antiquities Authority posits where the Roman forces may have concentrated at least some of their artillery machines: Cats Square.

 

Some of the ballista balls the archaeologists found by the ruins of the third wall were broken after shattering on the stone wall. There could have been thousands of the balls – and they weren’t only tossing diverse ballista balls designed to break down the wall. They were also catapulting spearheads, bolts, armor-piercing arrowheads, and smaller stones, gravel, and other objects to hit human targets.

 

 

770DD67A-243F-4A1F-B3C6-AAC946AF4CC3.thumb.jpeg.34d96c86b4eba088fea69eb7f57f3cf5.jpeg

More ballista stones

 

324FBF33-B862-49EC-B167-D673BB8B0A6D.thumb.jpeg.60f9d8123b82f0d8eb6b70a378a79113.jpeg
Iron tips of Roman catapult projectiles 

 

 

https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/2022-08-07/ty-article-magazine/archaeologists-pinpoint-a-source-of-roman-artillery-attack-on-ancient-jerusalem/00000182-789c-d428-a1e6-fcdfaf340000?_amp=true

 

 

Edited by guy
Link to comment
Share on other sites

778A99F2-EB34-470E-B2DB-70C4C382249D.thumb.jpeg.7b41ee1e2508c2908d0b105f434a1a35.jpeg
 

Another nice article on the research:

“Using computerised ballistic calculations based on finds found adjacent to the Jerusalem Municipality building, Israel Antiquities Authority archaeologist, Kfir Arbiv, has been able to identify the locations of the Roman siege engines used during the attack.

This was done by considering the local topography and the location of the Second Temple period city walls, in combination with ballistic calculations and the launching angle for the ballista stones found today within the ancient city.

As for the location of the Roman siege weapons, it appears that a significant number were placed in Cat Square, located around the centre of modern Jerusalem.“

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2022/08/archaeologist-identifies-position-of-roman-siege-engines-used-during-attack-on-jerusalem/144375?amp

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...