Battering Rams

Battering Rams

Battering rams are ancient siege weapons designed to break down fortified structures such as walls, gates, and doors. They consist of a heavy wooden beam with a metal or wooden head, often shaped like a ram's head or a blunt cone. Battering rams were used extensively in ancient warfare, particularly in the Middle Ages, and were often the primary means of breaching fortified defenses. The use of battering rams dates back to at least the ancient Greeks, who used them in the Trojan War. They were also used by the Romans, who developed a variety of different types of rams, including ones that were mounted on wheels or carried by soldiers. During the Middle Ages, battering rams were used by both attackers and defenders, and were often accompanied by other siege weapons such as trebuchets and catapults. To use a battering ram, a team of soldiers would hold the beam and run towards the target, slamming the head of the ram into the structure. The ram would be pulled back and the process repeated until the structure was breached. Battering rams were often covered with animal hides or metal plates to protect the soldiers using them from enemy fire. Despite their effectiveness, battering rams had several weaknesses. They were slow and cumbersome, making them vulnerable to counterattacks. They were also difficult to use in wet or muddy conditions, and could be damaged or destroyed by fire or falling debris. In modern times, battering rams have largely been replaced by more advanced siege weapons such as explosives and heavy machinery. However, they remain an important part of military history and are still used in some police and military operations.

siege, warfare, Middle Ages, defenses, soldiers

— Andrew Moore

CITATION : "Andrew Moore. 'Battering Rams.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=266625 (Accessed on May 28, 2025)"