Il fustibalo. Storia illustrata di un’arma lanciatoia medievale dimenticata

Abstract

In the practice of medieval wars, fighting with stones was particularly widespread, both during siege operations and in pitched battles. The departments of slingers were therefore particularly appreciated, often farmers and shepherds accustomed to using this weapon since they were children. In this context, a particular type of sling, little known to scholars, spread between the Late Antiquity and the early Modern Age: the fustibalo or cazafrusto. This was very simple: a large sling attached to a wooden stick, which allowed large rocks to be hurled at considerable distances, enough to replace or complement the artillery, both traction and black powder.