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This history of crossbows documents the historical development and use of the crossbow. It is not clear exactly where and when the crossbow originated, it is believed to have been invented in Europe and China during the 5th Century BCE. But there is undoubted evidence that it was used for military purposes during the Warring States period from the second half of the 4th century BCE onwards. == China and South East Asia == In China the crossbow () was an important weapon from the time of the Spring and Autumn Period (771-476 BCE). Bronze crossbow bolts dating from as early as the mid-5th century BCE have been found at a State of Chu burial site in Yutaishan, Jiangling County, Hubei Province.〔 pp. 153, 157–158.〕 The earliest handheld crossbow stocks with a bronze trigger and dating from the 6th century BCE come from Tombs 3 and 12 at Qufu, Shandong, capital of the State of Lu.〔You (1994), 80.〕〔(A Crossbow Mechanism with Some Unique Features from Shandong, China ). Asian Traditional Archery Research Network. Retrieved on 2008-08-20.〕 Other early finds of crossbows were discovered in Tomb 138 at Saobatang, Hunan Province and dated to the mid-4th century BCE.〔Mao (1998), 109–110.〕〔Wright (2001), 159.〕 Repeating crossbows, first mentioned in the ''Records of the Three Kingdoms'', were discovered in 1986 in Tomb 47 at Qinjiazui, Hubei Province, dating to around the 4th century BCE.〔Lin (1993), 36.〕 The earliest documention of a Chinese crossbow is in scripts from the 4th–3rd century BCE and attributed to the followers of Mozi. This source refers to the use of a giant crossbow catapult between the 6th and 5th centuries BCE, corresponding to the late Spring and Autumn Period. Sun Tzu's influential book ''The Art of War'' (first appearance dated between 500 BCE to 300 BCE〔James Clavell, ''The Art of War'', prelude〕) refers to the characteristics and use of crossbows in chapters V and XII respectively.〔https://www.gutenberg.org/files/132/132.txt〕 One of the earliest reliable records of this weapon in warfare is from an ambush which took place at the Battle of Maling in 341 BCE. Crossbow remains have also been found amongst the soldiers of the Terracotta Army near the mausoleum of China's first emperor Qin Shi Huang (260-210 BCE).〔( Weapons of the terracotta army )〕 The repeating crossbow and multiple bow arcuballista were both developed in China. When discussing the advantages and disadvantages of the nomadic Xiongnu and Han dynasty armies in a memorandum to the throne in 169 BCE, official Chao Cuo deemed the crossbow and repeating crossbow of the Han armies superior to the Xiongnu bow, even though the latter were trained to shoot behind themselves while riding.〔Di Cosmo, Nicola. (2002). Ancient China and Its Enemies: The Rise of Nomadic Power in East Asian History. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-77064-5. Page 203.〕 In Vietnamse historical legend, the ruler and general Thục Phán who ruled over the ancient kingdom of Âu Lạc from 257 to 207 BCE is said to have owed his power to a magic crossbow, capable of shooting thousands of arrows at once. Crossbow technology was transferred from the Chinese to Champa, which Champa used in its invasion of the Khmer Empire's Angkor in 1177. According to the Chinese ''Wujing Zongyao'' military manuscript of 1044, the crossbow used ''en masse'' was the most effective weapon against northern nomadic cavalry charges.〔Peers, 130.〕 Elite crossbowmen were also valued as long-range snipers as was the case when the Liao Dynasty general Xiao Talin was picked off by a Song crossbowman at the Battle of Shanzhou in 1004.〔 Crossbows were mass-produced in state armories with designs improving as time went on, such as the use of a mulberry wood stocks and brass; a crossbow in 1068 could pierce a tree at 140 paces.〔Peers, 130–131.〕 File:Chuangzi Nu1.jpg|Chinese ''Chuangzi Nu'' stationary windlass device with triple-bow arcuballista Image:Zhugenu-payne.jpg|Chinese repeating crossbow with pull lever and automatic reload magazine Image:Liannu.jpg|Chinese Lian Nu (連弩), multiple shot crossbow without a visible nut or cocking aid 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「History of crossbows」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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