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The largest siege tower ever erected was the Helepolis was an ancient siege engine invented by Polyidus of Thessaly and improved by Demetrius I of Macedon and Epimachus of Athens for the unsuccessful siege of Rhodes, based on an earlier, less massive design used against Salamis (305--304 BC).
The Helepolis was essentially a large tapered tower, with each side about 130 feet (41.1 m) high, and 65 feet (20.6 m) wide that was manually pushed into battle. It rested on eight wheels, each 15 feet (4.6 m) high and also had casters, to allow lateral movement as well as direct. The three exposed sides were rendered fireproof with iron plates, and stories divided the interior, connected by two broad flights of stairs, one for ascent and one for descent. The machine weighed 160 tons, and required 3,400 men working in relays to move it, 200 turning a large capstan driving the wheels via a belt, and the rest pushing from behind. The casters permitted lateral movement, so the entire apparatus could be steered towards the desired attack point, while always keeping the siege engines inside aimed at the walls, and the protective body of the machine directly between the city walls and the men pushing behind it.
The Helepolis bore a fearsome complement of heavy armaments, with two 180-pound (82 kg) catapults, and one 60-pounder (27 kg) (classified by the weight of the projectiles they threw) on the first floor, three 60-pounders (27 kg) on the second, and two 30-pounders (14 kg) on each of the next five floors. Apertures, shielded by mechanically adjustable shutters, lined with skins stuffed with wool and seaweed to render them fireproof, pierced the forward wall of the tower for firing the missile weapons. On each of the top two floors, soldiers could use two light dart throwers to easily clear the walls of defenders.
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How accurate is a siege tower?
A siege tower is a tower on a wheeled platform to allow the attackers to climb up it and over the castle walls. Accurate doesn't come into it.
Who first used the siege tower?
One of the oldest references to the mobile siege tower in ancient China was ironically a written dialogue primarily discussing naval warfare.
How is a siege tower powered?
They were simply powered by the soldiers who built it.
What was bad and good about the siege tower?
Siege towers were of benefit in breaching enemy defenses/fortifications . For those within the siege engine itself they were in danger of having boiling oil scalding them and if the tower were set alight then those trapped could be burned alive or subject to missiles as they attempted to exit and flee from the tower itself .
What did the Romans use on the siege tower to keep it from catching on fire?
They used wet animal hides on the front and both sides of the Belfry (or siege tower) to stop it from catching on fire. Hope this helps;-)
Which twin tower was the largest?
Neither - they were built the same size !
How accurate is a siege tower?
A siege tower is a tower on a wheeled platform to allow the attackers to climb up it and over the castle walls. Accurate doesn't come into it.
Where was the first siege tower built?
yes
When was the siege tower invented?
300 BC
What was the negative points of a Roman siege tower?
the enemy could set the tower alight
When was the Roman siege tower invented?
300 BC
How can you drive a siege tower?
It was pushed by many soldiers.
Who first used the siege tower?
One of the oldest references to the mobile siege tower in ancient China was ironically a written dialogue primarily discussing naval warfare.
What attractions are in Caerphilly castle?
Caerffili castle is either the largest or the second largest castle in the UK (it is difficult to precisely measure the absolute size of Dover). The castle's double-keep with integral moat construction is its main attraction, though there is also a display of medieval siege-engines which are sometimes operated. The leaning tower is also popular with visitors.
How is a siege tower powered?
They were simply powered by the soldiers who built it.
What was bad and good about the siege tower?
Siege towers were of benefit in breaching enemy defenses/fortifications . For those within the siege engine itself they were in danger of having boiling oil scalding them and if the tower were set alight then those trapped could be burned alive or subject to missiles as they attempted to exit and flee from the tower itself .
How many people were in the largest siege?
948,346,529,168
