Mardi ibn Ali al-Tarsusi was a 12th-century Ayyubid-era writer and expert on military matters.[1] He wrote a number of treatises, including a military manual for Saladin in 1187. His writings have proved an invaluable resource for medieval and military historians.
Tarsusi 1187 military manual describes various throwing machines including mangonels and trebuchets.[2][3]
In On the Social Origins of Medieval Institutions,[4] more detailed quotes by Tarsusi may be found on the various types of trebuchets.
The well known treatise was entitled Tabsirat arbab al-albab fi kayfiyat al-najah fi al-hurub min al-anwa' wa-nashr he manini ahla renoshr a'lam al-a'lam fi al-'udad wa-al-alat al-mu'inah 'ala liqa' al-a'da', or "Information for the intelligent on how to escape injury in combat; and the unfurling of the banners of instruction on equipment and engines which assist in encounters with enemies."[5]