Which vulnerability affected Roman torsion siege engines, particularly during prolonged sieges in humid Mediterranean climates?

💡 Explanation

In humid climates, rope fibers used in Roman ballista and catapult torsion bundles absorb moisture, leading to swelling, decreasing their torsion coefficient reducing the released potential energy. Therefore, decreased range resulted, rather than misfires, structural issues, or metal fatigue which involve different material and environmental interactions.

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