Harpax

• The Harpax was an Iron Grapnel launched by a Ballista (Catapult), and attached by a rope to a winch.
• The enemy vessel was then hauled in and boarded.

Description

• The Harpax was described by Appian as being invented by Agrippa, who in 36 BCE, used it with great effect at the Battle of Naulochus, where he defeated Sextus Pompey.
• Once the Grapnel had attached itself to the vessel, the Grapnel and vessel were then winched in, and the Vessel boarded using a smaller version of the Corvus.
• The Harpax had long iron bands so that it could not be easily cut free by a sword.
• The only defense against it, was to cut it free using a blade mounted on a pole to bypass the iron bands, but the Sicilian Navy had not anticipated this weapon.