“Alexander the Great and His Injury in Kyropolis Reconsidered”

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Alexias
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Re: “Alexander the Great and His Injury in Kyropolis Reconsidered”

Post by Alexias »

I am not sure it would have been a crossbow that fired the stone which hit Alexander. A slingshot is far more likely, and these can be as deadly as a bullet.
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marcus
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Re: “Alexander the Great and His Injury in Kyropolis Reconsidered”

Post by marcus »

Alexias wrote: Wed Dec 06, 2023 10:50 pm I am not sure it would have been a crossbow that fired the stone which hit Alexander. A slingshot is far more likely, and these can be as deadly as a bullet.
Reading the article, I assume that this was a translation issue. I don't recall that there is any evidence of the Sogdians using crossbows (although it does appear, from a quick Wiki search, that they were used in China in the 7th C BC); and crossbows launch bolts, not stones. I have always assumed that it was from a sling, as that's the only hand-held weapon that throws stones ... :-)
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