Crossbow弩

A mechanical bow with a trigger mechanism, allowing for greater accuracy and power than traditional bows. Zhuge Liang improved the design with the repeating crossbow.

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Contents

The Crossbow (弩 nǔ) was a mechanical bow with a trigger mechanism, allowing for greater accuracy and power than traditional bows. Zhuge Liang famously improved the design with the repeating crossbow (连弩), which could fire multiple bolts in rapid succession. Crossbows were decisive weapons in many Three Kingdoms battles.

Historical context

The Three Kingdoms period saw significant developments in military technology, particularly in crossbow design and armor construction. These innovations reflected the constant warfare and the need for tactical advantages.

References

  • Chen Shou, Records of the Three Kingdoms (三国志)
  • Luo Guanzhong, Romance of the Three Kingdoms (三国演义)