Crossbow with bronze trigger mechanism
Ballesta con disparador de bronce
- Date
- c. 450 BCE · confidence medium
- Place
- State of Chu, Hubei, China
- Credited to
- Warring States China (Chu, Qin)
- Field
- Conflict
⚠️ Disputed: the sources disagree.
What it is
A bow mounted on a stock with a precision bronze trigger mechanism (three pieces) that holds the tensioned string. It lets poorly trained soldiers fire with great power and accuracy.
The Greek gastraphetes (c. 400 BCE) is an independent invention; the Chinese crossbow appears earlier and its trigger is far superior.
What it led to
- Mass conscript infantry armies in the Warring States and in Qin
- Serial production of interchangeable bronze parts with quality control (the terracotta warriors)
- Effective defence against nomadic steppe cavalry
- Diffusion to Rome (arcuballista) and medieval Europe
Built on
- Composite bowc. 2200 BCE
- Chinese bronze casting
- Windlass
Made possible
- Catapult and torsion ballista399 BCE
- Repeating crossbowcentury IV a.C.
- Manufacture with interchangeable parts