ballista

The small nocturnal arachnid has been nicknamed the ballista spider after the ancient Roman siege weapon that launched bolts and stones using stored tension.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 26, 2026

During daylight hours, the ballista spider remains hidden beneath a leaf positioned above areas where green tree ants are actively foraging.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 26, 2026

Though it is yet to be formally named, scientists have nicknamed the tiny spider "ballista", after the ancient weapon used to hurl stones in battle.

From BBC ● Jun. 23, 2026

The distinctive shape—two ball-shaped curves flanking an imposing central column—is much closer to Game of Thrones’ weaponry than a torsion-driven ballista.

From Slate ● May 7, 2019

He imagined a bunch of demigods in dark robes trying to quietly roll a scorpion ballista through the front doors.

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan

“Scorpions,” ballistae developed by Hand of the Queen Qyburn, posed the primary threat to Drogon.

From Slate ● May 13, 2019

Although many people have identified the scorpion as a type of ballista, it lacks the torsion springs that ballistae use to thrust their projectile forward with such incredible force.

From Slate ● May 7, 2019

The engineers had built a stone fortress with an iron portcullis, guard towers, scorpion ballistae, water cannons, and no doubt many other nasty surprises for the defenders to use.

From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan

They’d dug in with their usual military precision - ten-foot-deep trenches and spiked earthen walls around the perimeter, a watchtower on each corner armed with ballistae.

From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan

Piper was on watch while her friends geared up for combat - checking their weapons and armour, loading the ballistae and catapults.

From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan