The ballista was a powerful weapon – originally invented by the Greeks over 2000 years ago and widely used by the Romans in battles and sieges. Using the stored energy in twisted sinew the ballista helped the Roman Empire take on and conquer countries all over Europe! Based on drawings and written records (but not here-say – we only use facts in our historical kits!), this Ballista re-creates the way in which torsion powered weapons worked, and can fire the small wooden projectiles over 15 feet!