Note 321 — BOOK VIII
Evelyn S. (Evelyn Shirley) Shuckburgh translation
σκορπίδια, mentioned among a number of similar engines in 1 Macc. 6, 51. Plutarch calls them σκορπίοι, and explains that they only carried a short distance, but, being concealed, gave wounds at close quarters; hence, doubtless, their name.