The oxybeles was a weapon used by the ancient Greeks beginning around 375 BC, its name derived from the Greek words for sharp or pointed and for arrow. It was essentially an oversized gastraphetes, a composite bow mounted on a stand with a stock and a trigger, and was later supplanted by the more scientifically engineered ballista, which added torsion power the oxybeles lacked. The oxybeles saw its most notable use under the rule of Alexander the Great. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Facts
Weapon Class
Weapon Class (category) Weapon Class (category) Weapon Class Introduced Year Sources
1. Wikipedia: Oxybeles
- Weapon class classified from the entity's own sourced description text.
- Introduced circa -375 per the entity's own sourced description text; no pre-1900 weapon system remains in current active military service.
- Introduction/adoption year stated in the entity's own sourced description text.
View the SourceWikidata: Oxybeles
Wikidata Q1656564, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source Reader Challenges (0)
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