TLDR: A battering ram is a big log that people used to smash through walls and gates in ancient times. It was effective because walls were weak and would crack under the force of the ram. But with the invention of cannons, battering rams became less popular. Nowadays, smaller versions of battering rams are used by law enforcement and military to break open locked doors.

A battering ram is a siege engine that was used in ancient times to break open walls and gates of fortifications. It was basically a large, heavy log that was carried by several people and propelled with force against an obstacle. If the log was massive enough and moved quickly enough, it could damage the target. Later, rams were encased in an arrow-proof, fire-resistant canopy mounted on wheels. The log was swung from suspensory chains or ropes inside the canopy.

Rams were effective because the materials used to build walls, like stone and brick, were weak in tension. This means that they would crack when impacted with force. With repeated blows, the cracks would grow until a hole was created, allowing attackers to enter the fortification.

However, the introduction of cannons in the later Middle Ages spelled the end of battering rams and other traditional siege weapons. Cannons used gunpowder to propel heavy stone or iron balls against fortified obstacles, making them more powerful and efficient.

Today, smaller versions of battering rams are still used by law enforcement officers and military personnel to break open locked doors. These modern rams often incorporate a pneumatic cylinder and piston driven by compressed air, which enhances the impact and momentum of the ram.

In summary, a battering ram is a siege engine used in ancient times to break open walls and gates. It was a large log that was swung against an obstacle with force. Rams were effective because walls were weak and would crack under the impact. However, with the invention of cannons, battering rams became less popular. Nowadays, smaller versions of battering rams are used by law enforcement and military to break open locked doors.

Related Links:

• Fortification
• Cannon