Good post. Catapult making is a lost art, isn't it? I saw something on the Discovery Channel not too long ago where modern engineers were trying to duplicate the throwing power of Roman catapults. They didn't even come close.
BTW, this is a bit offtopic, but I've been waiting for a chance to post this picture and although it's only peripherally related, this is probably the best chance I'll ever get! Longbows were so powerful they were tricky to string. Here's how they did it.
Longbows were so powerful they were tricky to string. Here's how they did it. Modern recurved bows are strung the same way. If the bow is shorter than the archer, you anchor the lower part with the opposite ankle, flex the bow across your hip and string up in front of your chest.