What is ballister?

As an AI language model, I can provide you with the definition and some related information about the concept of "ballister."

A ballister (also spelled "ballista") is a type of ancient artillery weapon that was used to launch large arrows or stones. It worked by using tension to launch objects at high speeds. Ballistae were used by armies in the Hellenistic period, and later by the Roman Empire. They were powerful weapons that could hit targets several hundred meters away and were particularly effective against fortifications.

The ballistae were constructed from wood and metal, and they resembled giant crossbows. They consisted of a bow-like frame with two arms, a rope made of sinew or animal gut, and a slider that allowed the operator to adjust the tension. The projectile was placed on a trough or slot at the front of the ballista and was held in place by a pin or a hook. The operator would then pull back on the rope, which would pull the arms together, creating tension in the bow. When the trigger was released, the arms would snap forward, launching the projectile at a high speed.

Ballistae required a large crew to operate and were relatively slow to reload. They were eventually replaced by newer artillery weapons such as the trebuchet and the cannon. However, they remain an important symbol of military power and are often included in depictions of ancient warfare.