Well I had no idea.
http://www.ancientromangoods.com/weapons/crossbows
http://dagr.univ-tlse2.fr/sdx/dagr/feuilleter.xsp?tome=1&partie=1&numPage=400&filtre=arbal%C3%A8te%20&nomEntree=ARCUBALLISTA
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21711359@N08/sets/72157622081346915/
http://www.oocities.org/thebatavi/gallerycaerwent2008a.htm
Guess i'll be making use of the crossbow skill slot after all.
Arrian--or Arian-- has records of cavalry training where the crossbow, or a mechanical bow weapon was being used by soldiers from the backs of horses, while there are sculptures in Roman Gaul which show the use of the crossbow for hunting as well as fighting.
These Roman crossbows are nearly identical to the medieval crossbow so it must be assumed that they are by and large the same weapon.
http://www.ancientromangoods.com/weapons/crossbows
:The Roman commander Arrian (ca. 86 – after 146) records in his Tactica Roman cavalry training for firing some mechanical handheld weapon from horseback. Sculptural reliefs from Roman Gaul depict the use of crossbows in hunting scenes. The specimen are remarkably similar to the later medieval crossbow, including the typical nut lock (see image).[41]
-Sculptural reliefs from Roman Gaul
http://dagr.univ-tlse2.fr/sdx/dagr/feuilleter.xsp?tome=1&partie=1&numPage=400&filtre=arbal%C3%A8te%20&nomEntree=ARCUBALLISTA
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21711359@N08/sets/72157622081346915/
http://www.oocities.org/thebatavi/gallerycaerwent2008a.htm
Guess i'll be making use of the crossbow skill slot after all.