Battering Ram

medieval warfare · siege engines · ancient technology

Wooden weapon. A battering ram started as just a super heavy log that soldiers carried together and swung hard at castle walls and gates to break them open.

Protected cabin. Later battering rams got fancier with a wooden roof on wheels that protected soldiers from arrows and fire while they swung the log inside.

Hung from chains. Instead of carrying the log, soldiers could hang it from thick chains or ropes attached to the wooden frame and swing it like a giant pendulum to gain more power.

Castle destroyer. Armies used battering rams to attack enemy fortifications when they wanted to break through stone walls or wooden gates that couldn't be climbed over.