BYU Studies Quarterly
Keywords
Mormon studies, stoning, Ballista, weaponry, Masada
Abstract
Josephus reports that once the Romans had completed their great siege ramp on the west side of Masada, they brought up an enormous tower in wheels, over one hundred feet high (based on a twenty-inch cubit) and entirely encased in iron. From this tower, Roman artillery opened fire on those defending the walls, sending showers of stones and other missiles down on them and forcing them to retreat into the fortress. With this objective accomplished, a great battering ram began the assault on the walls, and the fall of Masada became imminent.
Recommended Citation
Garrison, James V.
(1996)
"Casting Stones: Ballista, Stones as Weapons, and Death by Stoning,"
BYU Studies Quarterly: Vol. 36:
Iss.
3, Article 25.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/byusq/vol36/iss3/25