## Ancient "Machine Gun" Discovery & Debate A recent article on phys.org discusses the polybolos, an ancient Greek repeating ballista from the 3rd century BC, often called the “machine gun of antiquity.” Invented by Dionysius of Alexandria, it used a chain-drive and gravity to rapidly fire bolts. Discussion on Hacker News centers around the polybolos’ advantages. While requiring the same torsion spring recharging as a standard ballista, some argue it offered a significant speed advantage – MythBusters demonstrated it could fire 15 arrows in under two minutes, slightly faster than a top archer. Others question this, pointing out potential inaccuracies in the MythBusters build and the importance of consistent operation over raw speed. The debate highlights the polybolos’ potential benefits: reducing reliance on highly skilled archers, providing a sustained rate of fire, and offering a psychological advantage on the battlefield. Some speculate the advantage wasn’t speed, but consistent firing without pauses for reloading. The discussion also touches on the role of modern technology (software & ML) in archaeological discoveries and the value of exploring historical “dead ends.”