The History of Slingshots Written By Rick Schell The Catapult, Mangonel, Ballista and the Trebuchet Slingshots have a long and wonderful history. The History of Slingshots go back to the Roman era and used very effectively as a war weapon. Many believe the invention of the first Catapult came from a Greek town founded between 743-734 BC called Syracuse . the Gastraphete was the first known version of the Catapult. The Greeks were highly impressed with the destructive capabilities of Gastraphete. They developed a larger version called the Ballista. The early Greeks and Romans used this large crossbow-like weapon to hurl large projectiles at their enemies . They could throw large rocks, boulders, as well as spears over long distances. Known as Siege engines, the Catapult, the mangonel, and the Trebuchet used heavy pulleys and leather straps . Even so, the Catapult and Trebuchet were much better known with their long arm used to throw projectiles . As described in the Encyclop