The Claw of Archimedes

Roman sources refer to iron claws and beaks that attacked their ships from the walls. Historians call this weapon the Claw of Archimedes. We are unsure what its exact appearance was like but it is described as a sort of crane with a grappling hook attached. The grappling hook would be fired at an attacking ship and then the crane would lift it partially or completely out of the water. The defenders could then capsize it or drop it on other Roman ships. It might sound fanciful but possible designs have been tested by engineers for both the BBC and Discovery Channel. Both teams succeeded in producing a historically accurate design and proved that the Claw could have existed.