What is the difference between trebuchets and catapults?
Catapult is the general term, trebuchet is one particular, gravity-powered type. 1) “A catapult is any one of a number of non-handheld mechanical devices used to throw a projectile a great distance without the aid of an explosive substance—particularly various types of ancient and medieval siege engines. The name is the Latinized form of the Ancient Greek καταπέλτης – katapeltes, from κατά – kata (downwards, into, against) and πάλλω – pallo (to poise or sway a missile before it is thrown). The catapult appears to have been invented in 399 BC in the city of Syracuse during the reign of the tyrant Dionysius I. Originally, “catapult” referred to a dart-thrower, while “ballista” referred to a stone-thrower, but the two terms swapped meaning sometime in the fourth century AD.” “Medieval catapults Castles and fortified walled cities were common during this period – and catapults were used as a key siege weapon against them. As well as attempting to breach the walls, incendiary missiles could
