Traditionally, artillery in naval warfare was restricted to the use of javelins, slings and archers. It was the Syracusans who made the first steps towards creating artillery pieces that could be used at sea. They designed a contraption known as the 'gastraphetes' or 'belly bow'. This oversized composite bow rested on the stomach of its user and was pulled back when braced by his feet. It could fire a substantial bolt some fifty yards further than a regular bow. This technology was then scaled up to form the basis of the early 'scorpion', which eventually evolved into an array of torsion-powered artillery pieces that became commonplace on the decks of ancient ships.
