What is a Battering Ram?
A battering ram is a type of siege engine used to break down walls or doors. Popular in ancient battles and medieval castle warfare, modern forms of the battering ram are still used today. Made from the trunks of enormous trees, battering rams were once the height of siege technology, and were incredibly difficult to stop once attackers reached the gates. The simplest form of a battering ram is simply a large, relatively straight tree trunk. Any branches would be shaved off before using the ram in battle, and trees such as oaks or large firs were preferred for their strength. Many men would carry the ram by hand, propelling it into its target using their own strength. Some pre-prepared rams were capped with metal, to strengthen the impact and prevent the ram from shattering or breaking. One of the problems with the early battering rams was that it could take a long time to bash a sturdy gate down. Aside from the strength of the men carrying it giving out, the long battering period gave
