Ancient Roman armies are renowned for their power and strategic effectiveness. However, recent studies propose that they might have possessed even more sophisticated weaponry than previously understood.
Italian researchers now suggest that circular damage observed on the walls of Pompeii likely resulted from a ‘polybolos,’ a Greek-origin repeating catapult. This weapon, described by the researchers as a type of ‘ancient machine gun,’ could fire projectiles rapidly.
The study focuses on unusually well-preserved, fan-shaped craters found on Pompeii’s northern wall. These marks endured Roman-era repairs, World War II bombings, and natural disasters, providing unique evidence. They date back to 89 BC, during the Roman siege led by Lucius Cornelius Sulla, who eventually isolated the city, cut off its supplies, and forced its surrender after a protracted conflict.
For five years, researchers from the University Luigi Vanvitelli of Campania and the University of Bologna meticulously analyzed the damage using modern digital measurement techniques. They created 3D models of the wall impacts and compared them with known ancient military technology. Their findings strongly indicate the use of a polybolos, a weapon of Greek engineering capable of launching metal-tipped projectiles in rapid succession, distinct from traditional catapults due to its automated loading mechanism.
The researchers emphasize that these craters were not intended to breach the city’s fortifications. Instead, their strategic placement suggests they were specifically aimed at neutralizing defenders stationed on the walls.
Pompeii’s ultimate fate is famously linked to the 79 AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius, which entombed the city in ash and pumice. Ironically, this catastrophic event also preserved older structures and damage, now offering unprecedented insights into ancient warfare.