Analytical Evaluation of Elastic Rope Materials and Aerodynamics of Roman Scorpio Catapults Based on Archeological Evidence

Roman artillery represents a key element of ancient military technology, reflecting the advanced level of technical knowledge achieved in the late Republican and early Imperial periods. However, the operational capabilities and the design methodology of these weapons are not adequately described in historical references. This study investigates the launch performance of Roman Scorpio catapult by integrating archeological evidence from impact craters on Pompeii’s northern walls with analytical modeling of torsion-spring behavior. The present study determines the required release velocity of an arrow capable of creating impact craters reported by applying ballistic and aerodynamic analytical models. Historically cited rope materials for torsion springs are evaluated using experimentally reported mechanical properties and geometric constraints. The integrated analysis highlights how material selection and drag-related energy losses influence projectile velocity, supporting the plausibility of the proposed catapult configuration and offering highlights into ancient artillery design.