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Ancient History

20 Revolutionary Inventions That Were Lost to History

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19. Polybolos – The Repeating Crossbow

19. Polybolos - The Repeating Crossbow
A detailed replica of an ancient polybolos, the legendary repeating crossbow, showcases its intricate wooden and metal mechanisms. | Photo by Wikimedia Commons

The Polybolos was a remarkable invention from ancient Greece—a repeating crossbow capable of launching multiple bolts in quick succession. Ancient descriptions detail its rapid-fire mechanism, yet no original model has survived.
The exact engineering behind its automatic reloading remains elusive, leaving this early example of mechanical weaponry shrouded in historical mystery.
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