The Roman Empire conquered the known world in large part due to its army. The Roman Army was a formidable force of training and discipline led by military minds who established organizational and tactical strategies that have influenced the world up to this very day. In short, the Roman army was one of the most effective and enduring forces in military history. In addition to skill and zeal, the Romans also had a more material advantage on their side: siege weapons, such as catapults.
Catapults and Other Ancient War Technology
Thanks in large part to Greek innovations, the Romans represented the acumen of applied technology in the ancient world. Siege weapons, such as catapults, scorpions, and battering rams, gave the Romans an unprecedented advantage offensively as well as defensively. The Romans used these advanced weapons to deadly effect.
“He was amply supplied with ‘quick-firers,’ catapults and ‘stone-throwers,’ with which he not only beat off his assailants but also killed many of the worshippers… For the missiles from the engines flew over with such force that they reached the altar and the sanctuary, lighting upon priests and sacrificers; and many who had sped from the ends of the earth to gather round this far-famed spot, reverenced by all mankind, fell there themselves before their sacrifices, and sprinkled with libations of their own blood that altar universally venerated by Greeks and barbarians. The dead bodies of natives and aliens, of priests and laity, were mingled in a mass, and the blood of all manner of corpses formed pools in the courts of God. What misery to equal that, most wretched city, hast thou suffered at the hands of the Romans.”
(Josephus The Jewish War Book V, written circa 75 AD.)