Roman Siege Machines

• Roman Siege Machines were carried by every Legion in the Roman Army between 100-300 CE.

Each Legion carried the following Siege Machines

• 10 Onager.
• 55 Cheiroballistra hauled by mules. The Cheiroballistra replaced the 59 Roman Scorpio of the Roman Republic.

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.

Roman Scorpio

• The Roman Scorpio was a dart thrower derived from the Ballista.
• It was a Roman Artillery Piece used during the Roman Republic and the Early Empire, which was the predecessor of the Cheiroballistra.

Cheiroballistra

• The Cheiroballistra was a Torsion Catapult that shot metal bolts. The name is from the Greek: ‘Cheiro’ (hand) ‘Ballista’ (shooter).
• Every Centuria in the Roman Legion had one Cheiroballistra. There were a total of 55 in every Legion.