The invention of the catapult cannot be attributed to a single individual, as it evolved over time through various cultures and civilizations. The earliest known catapults date back to ancient Greece around 400 BC. The Greeks developed a device called the ‘palintonon,’ which was one of the first forms of a catapult. However, the Romans later refined and popularized the technology, creating more advanced versions known as ‘onagers’ and ‘ballistae.’ Each of these inventions played a significant role in siege warfare, allowing armies to launch projectiles over walls or at enemy forces from a distance.
Overall, the catapult’s development was a cumulative process, with contributions from various inventors and engineers across different regions, making it difficult to credit a single person with its invention.