00:00Why did Roman engineers name a giant stone-throwing machine after a wild donkey?
00:05Picture a massive wooden frame standing silent on an ancient battlefield hill.
00:09Inside it, thick twisted cords stored great energy, like a spring-wound tight.
00:14One long arm, topped with a sling, waited at the edge of its swing.
00:19Then it was released, and a heavy stone flew across the sky in a perfect arc.
00:23Because Oneger means wild ass, and the whole frame kicked back with every release, just like a donkey's kick.
