ĂRĬES

( κριός ), the battering-ram, was used to batter down the walls of besieged cities. It consisted of a large beam, made of the trunk of a tree, especially of a fir or an ash. To one end was fastened a ma of bronze or iron ( κεφαλή , ἐμβολή , προτομή ), which resembled in its form the head of a ram. The aries in its simplest state was borne and impelled by human hands, without other a istance. In an improved form, the ram was surrounded with iron bands, to which rings were attached for the purpose of suspending it by ropes or chains from a beam fixed transversely over it. By this contrivance the soldiers were relieved from the nece ity of supporting the weight of the ram, and could with ease give it a rapid and forcible motion backwards and forwards. The use of this machine was further aided by placing the frame in which it was suspended upon wheels, and also by constructing over it a wooden roof, so as to form a “testudo,” which protected the besieging party from the defensive a aults of the besieged. IMG:6459379820872971714_ill040.jpg: Aries, Battering Ram. (From Column of Trajan.)