Onager

• The Onager was a Roman torsion powered Catapult or Siege Engine.
• Onager meant Wild Ass in Latin. It got this name because the kick back of the machine resembled the kick of the Onager’s hooves.

Description

• The Onager was towed on an Ox cart.
• The arm was winched back and a stone or other missile was thrown.
• Each Legion carried 10 Onagers, according to Vegetius. One for each Cohort.
• Each Legion also carried 55 Cheiroballistra, one for every century. This was a crossbow also towed on a cart by two mules.

Sources

• Ammianus Marcellinus
• Vegetius

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