Battering ram facts for kids
A battering ram was a powerful tool used a long time ago in wars. It was like a giant log used to smash open the strong stone walls of castles or break down their big wooden gates.
In its simplest form, a battering ram was just a very big, heavy log. Several people would carry it and bang it against a wall or gate over and over again. Each hit would damage the target. Later, these logs were made even better. They were covered with a roof, called a canopy, which protected the attackers from arrows and fire. This canopy was often on wheels, making it easier to move. Inside, the heavy log would hang from chains or ropes, allowing the attackers to swing it with even more force.
How Battering Rams Worked
Rams were excellent weapons against old walls made of stone and brick. These walls were not very good at handling pulling forces, or "tension." This meant they would crack when hit hard enough. With many strong blows, these cracks would grow bigger and bigger until a hole appeared. Eventually, a large opening, called a breach, would be made in the wall. This allowed soldiers to rush through and attack the castle.
From Ancient Times to Today
Battering rams and other old-fashioned siege weapons started to disappear when cannons were invented in the later Middle Ages. Cannons could do much more damage from a distance. However, smaller, hand-held versions of battering rams are still used today! Police officers and military teams use them to quickly break open locked doors when they need to get inside a building.
Images for kids
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Medieval battering ram in Italy
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An Assyrian battering ram attacking an enemy city, c. 865–860 BC
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Replica battering ram at Château des Baux, France
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A modern battering ram
See also
In Spanish: Ariete para niños
