Summary of the History, Construction and Effects in Warfare of the Projectile-Throwing Engines of the Ancients with a Treatise on the Structure, Power and Management of Turkish and Other Oriental Bows of Mediaeval and Later Times

Originally published in 1907 by Sir Ralph Payne-Gallwey, this work serves as an exhaustive technical investigation into pre-gunpowder ballistics. Payne-Gallwey, a Victorian-era polymath and engineer, sought to reconstruct and test ancient siege engines, such as the catapult and ballista, by applying rigorous mechanical analysis to historical accounts. His objective was to demonstrate the physical viability and impressive kinetic potential of these machines, moving beyond theoretical speculation to empirical study.

The volume is highly regarded for its detailed illustrations and instructional diagrams, which reflect Payne-Gallwey's obsession with experimental archaeology. By painstakingly replicating the construction methods of medieval artillery and Oriental composite bows, he provided a bridge between antiquarian interest and modern mechanical engineering. While his work was initially published in a limited capacity for specialists in military history, it remains a foundational reference for those interested in the evolution of projectile weapons.