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Ancient Roman 'Machine Gun' Unearthed in Pompeii
7 Apr
Summary
- Evidence of a Roman 'repeating catapult' with rapid-fire technology was found.
- The weapon, known as polybolos, likely used in Pompeii in 89 BC.
- Impact marks on walls suggest a sophisticated weapon previously unknown.
- The polybolos was invented by Dionysius of Alexandria in the 3rd century BCE.
An astonishing discovery in Pompeii has revealed evidence of a formidable Roman weapon, likened to an ancient machine gun. This 'repeating catapult,' known as the polybolos, possessed a rapid-fire capability, unleashing multiple metal-tipped bolts during sieges. Researchers pinpoint its likely use in 89 BC, during the Social Wars, approximately 168 years before the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius. This ancient conflict saw cities rebelling against Roman rule, with Pompeii experiencing intense bombardment.
The evidence comes from unique impact marks found on Pompeii's northern defensive walls. These marks, described as tiny, four-sided pits, do not align with typical Roman artillery. Instead, they correspond with descriptions of the polybolos, a weapon detailed in ancient writings attributed to Dionysius of Alexandria in the 3rd century BCE, though no physical examples had ever been recovered. Specialized laser scanning and 3D modeling were employed to analyze these marks and determine the ammunition used, shedding new light on Roman military technology preserved for over two millennia by volcanic ash.
