Answer: https://www.appgamer.com/rise-of-kingdoms/answers/40685-which-technology-comes-before-heavy
Some extra relevant information:
In the era of warfare and military advancements, the technology that precedes heavy artillery is siege weapons. These powerful machines played a crucial role in the history of warfare, allowing armies to breach castle walls, fortifications, and city defenses.
Siege weapons were instrumental in breaking down the barriers that protected enemy forces. One such example is the trebuchet, a massive throwing machine that launched projectiles with extraordinary force. Trebuchets were capable of hurling rocks, stones, and even flaming projectiles over long distances, inflicting significant damage to enemy fortifications.
Another noteworthy siege weapon is the catapult. These devices used torsion or tension to launch large stones or barrels filled with combustible material. The catapult had immense destructive power, capable of causing structural collapses and devastating breaches in the defenses.
Before the advent of heavy artillery, these siege engines were the pinnacle of long-range offensive capabilities. Their introduction revolutionized warfare by allowing armies to overcome heavily fortified positions that were otherwise impervious to conventional means.
However, heavy artillery went beyond the capabilities of siege weapons. It marked a significant shift in warfare, as it introduced the use of gunpowder and explosive projectiles, vastly increasing destructive potential. Cannons and artillery pieces were designed to launch metal balls or explosive shells at greater distances and with more accuracy compared to older siege engines.
The introduction of heavy artillery had a profound impact on the battlefield, as it changed the tactics, strategies, and methods of warfare. It allowed armies to bombard targets from a safe distance, influencing the course of battles and sieges. With heavy artillery, armies gained the ability to destroy fortifications more efficiently, leveling the playing field and altering the balance of power in conflicts.
In conclusion, siege weapons like trebuchets and catapults were the precursors to heavy artillery. While these siege engines were formidable in their own right, heavy artillery represented a significant leap forward in military technology, integrating gunpowder and explosive projectiles to achieve greater range, firepower, and destructive impact on the battlefield.