Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898)
BAT'TERING-RAM. Eze 4:2 and Eze 21:22. This was a long beam of strong wood, usually oak, sometimes connected with a carriage or framework of heavy timber. One end was shaped like a ram's head, which when driven repeatedly and with great force against the wall of a city or fortification either pierced it or battered it down. In the tower of the structure in which the battering-ram was hung were often posted Ancient Battering-ram. archers and slingers, who fired at the defenders upon the walls while their comrades were pushing the ram along or working it against the walls. See War.