MAY THE GLORIOUS TREBUCHET MEMES COMMENCE
A long time ago when savage men wanted to lay siege to a city they would construct machines like catapults, mangolins, and ballistas. They were dark times. But there was a prophecy of a greater power a siege engine capable of flinging 90kg projectiles over 300 meters. Most said it was but a myth. Then in roughly the 1100s the the mighty counter weighted trebuchet was discovered. Roaming the plains of France these mighty siege engines with their stout oaken frames were capable of doing exactly as the prophecy foretold. The people rejoiced as they were finally capable of taking the cities of their enemies. The power of the trebuchet could not be matched and the great leaders were afraid. They spread lies that catapults were better and even invented flashy useless weapons like cannons. The people were deceived but we know the truth: The Trebuchet capable of flinging 90kg projectiles over 300 meters is the superior siege engine.
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I would never be a catapult
tbh, I can’t tell the difference.
I think it’s due to them both being the same thing. But one is bigger, quite a bit more girthy. The other appears to be quite mobile though, and can respond to needs much quicker.
Hardcore pounding, vs hitting right where you need it. (giggity)
Catapult = energy comes from tension. Trebuchet = energy comes from gravity pulling on a counterweight
You can only build up so much tension in ropes and wood so the weight of what can be thrown is limited. With a trebuchet you can throw heavier objects by increasing the weight of the counterweight and length of the throwing arm
These are both examples of catapults, broadly, siege engines that use stored energy to make big projectile go over there real good.
What people tend to refer to when they say “catapult” is a mangonel or onager, and go on to imply that the trebuchet is not a catapult. It is a catapult, just a different kind. Much like we have cars, which are vehicles, but we also have trucks, which are also vehicles.
Ooh, thanks for the info! 🤗
the problem is that both of these on the picture work with counterweights, the left ome just looks more like a traditional catapult
I’m pretty sure the images are both trebuchets. The one on the left is still using only counterweights to provide energy.
