Composite bow
I just finally learned what really is a composite bow on history television (Ancient Discovery program with amazing modern tests of historically accurate weapons and historical recreations of ancient battles). They even showed real ancient 3000 years old composite bows.
It was developped during Ramses II reign. Made with animal horn tied to a strong preshaped piece of wood, wrapped in strong vegetal fibers and glued with resin. It took about 18 months for the resin to properly dry !
They made an historical recreation of the hit and run technique used with composite bows and Egyptian chariot, counting how many arrows their ancient weapon expect could place within a square containing a platoon of ennemy. Because of the big range of composite bow and efficiency of of swift light chariot, the result was very efficient... So much that the Egyptian won and we still talk about Ramses II today.
It was the most powerfull ancient bow while being short enough to be used from a chariot.
They also talked about the Kopesh sword and presented a detailled analysis of the lighter Egyptian Chariot vs the Hittite heavy charriot.
An AD&D gamer dream come true ! ;-).
Did you know in 14th century BC iron was so rare and precious that it was employed as jewelry ? The Hittite where amongst the first to develop iron metalurgy.
It was developped during Ramses II reign. Made with animal horn tied to a strong preshaped piece of wood, wrapped in strong vegetal fibers and glued with resin. It took about 18 months for the resin to properly dry !
They made an historical recreation of the hit and run technique used with composite bows and Egyptian chariot, counting how many arrows their ancient weapon expect could place within a square containing a platoon of ennemy. Because of the big range of composite bow and efficiency of of swift light chariot, the result was very efficient... So much that the Egyptian won and we still talk about Ramses II today.
It was the most powerfull ancient bow while being short enough to be used from a chariot.
They also talked about the Kopesh sword and presented a detailled analysis of the lighter Egyptian Chariot vs the Hittite heavy charriot.
An AD&D gamer dream come true ! ;-).
Did you know in 14th century BC iron was so rare and precious that it was employed as jewelry ? The Hittite where amongst the first to develop iron metalurgy.