Gastraphetes

• The Gastraphetes was a hand held crossbow used by the ancient Greeks and ancient Romans, which is thought to have first appeared before 400 BCE.
• Unlike the bow, which is loaded by pulling the bowstring, the crossbow was a composite bow that used the stomach to push the device against the ground or a wall, in order to reload it.

Use

• There is little evidence to show that the crossbow was ever used in great numbers by the Roman Army.
• The Roman Army used specialised Regiments of Archers comprised of Roman Auxiliaries. who used the composite bow, as did the Roman Cavalry.

Sources

• Hero of Alexandria (10-c.70 CE)
  • He produced a detailed drawing of a Gastraphetes in Belopoeica.
• Arrian (c.92-175 CE)
  • He refers to a handheld mechanical device fired from horseback by the cavalry.
• Vegetius (4th century CE)
  • He refers to handheld mechanical weapons called ‘Manuballista’ and Cheiroballistra.