claw of Archimedes
From Warlike
Q146938
The Claw of Archimedes was an ancient weapon devised by Archimedes to defend the seaward portion of Syracuse's city wall against amphibious assault. Although its exact nature is unclear, the accounts of ancient historians seem to describe it as a sort of crane equipped with a grappling hook that was able to lift an attacking quinquereme by the bow. By then releasing the claw the ship would fall onto the rocks or water below, inevitably capsizing. The claw could allegedly shake boats with such force that the crew would be thrown into the sea.
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