Mangonel: The mangonel, also known as the onager, is a type of catapult that uses tension created by twisted ropes or skeins of sinew to propel projectiles. It features a large wooden arm or beam attached to a frame, with a bucket or sling at one end to hold the projectile. The arm is pulled back and released, causing the projectile to be flung forward.

    Trebuchet: The trebuchet is a powerful siege weapon that uses a counterweight mechanism to launch projectiles. It consists of a long beam or arm attached to a pivot point, with a sling or bucket at one end and a counterweight at the other. The counterweight is released, causing the arm to swing and launch the projectile. Trebuchets are known for their accuracy and range.

    Ballista: The ballista is a type of ancient catapult that uses tension created by twisted ropes or sinew to launch projectiles. It features a large frame with two arms, each equipped with torsion springs. These springs are twisted by winding ropes, and when released, they propel the arms forward, launching the projectile. Ballistas were often used to launch large bolts or arrows.

    Onager: The onager is a smaller and more portable version of the ballista. It operates on a similar principle, using tension created by twisted ropes or sinew to launch projectiles. The onager typically has a single arm and a sling mechanism, and it is known for its ability to launch heavy stones or other projectiles.

As for the counterweights used on ancient trebuchets, they were typically made of heavy materials such as stones, sandbags, or metal weights. These counterweights were placed on the short end of the trebuchet's arm, opposite to the sling or bucket that held the projectile. The weight of the counterweight provided the necessary force to propel the arm forward and launch the projectile. The counterweight's size and mass were carefully adjusted to achieve the desired range and power of the trebuchet.
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