Cannon  

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-:''[[medieval culture]]'' 
-The '''Middle Ages''' is a period in [[European history]] following [[Classical antiquity]] and the [[fall of the Roman Empire|fall of the Western Roman Empire]], spanning roughly the 10 centuries from AD 500 to 1500. It was a period of great cultural, political, and economic change in [[Europe]]. The Middle Ages witnessed the first sustained [[urbanization]] of northern and western Europe. Modern European states [[Nationalism|owe their origins]] to the Middle Ages, and their political boundaries as we know them are essentially the result of the military and dynastic achievements in this tumultuous period. Science, technology, agricultural production, and social identity changed drastically during this period.  
-== Art and architecture of the Early Middle Ages==+A '''cannon''' is any piece of [[artillery]] that uses [[gunpowder]] or other usually explosive-based propellants to launch a projectile. Cannon vary in [[caliber]], range, mobility, rate of fire, angle of fire, and firepower; different forms of cannon combine and balance these attributes in varying degrees, depending on their intended use on the battlefield. The word ''cannon'' is derived from several languages, in which the original definition can usually be translated as ''tube'', ''cane'', or ''reed''. In modern times, ''cannon'' has fallen out of common usage, usually replaced by "guns" or "artillery", if not a more specific term, such as "mortar" or "howitzer".
-Few large stone buildings were attempted between the Constantinian basilicas of the 4th century, and the 8th century. At this time, the establishment of churches and monasteries, and a comparative political stability, brought about the development of a form of stone architecture loosely based upon Roman forms and hence later named [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]]. Where available, Roman brick and stone buildings were recycled for their materials. From the fairly tentative beginnings known as the [[First Romanesque]], the style flourished and spread across Europe in a remarkably homogeneous form. The features are massive stone walls, openings topped by semi-circular arches, small windows, and, particularly in France, arched stone vaults and arrows+
-In the decorative arts, Celtic and Germanic barbarian forms were absorbed into Christian art, although the central impulse remained Roman and Byzantine. High quality jewellery and religious imagery were produced throughout Western Europe; [[Charlemagne]] and other monarchs provided patronage for religious artworks such as [[reliquaries]] and books. Some of the principal artworks of the age were the fabulous [[Illuminated manuscripts]] produced by monks on [[vellum]], using gold, silver, and precious pigments to illustrate biblical narratives. Early examples include the [[Book of Kells]] and many Carolingian and Ottonian Frankish manuscripts.+[[Technology of the Song Dynasty#Gunpowder warfare|First used in China]], cannon were among the earliest forms of gunpowder artillery, and over time replaced [[siege engine]]s—among other forms of aging weaponry—on the battlefield. The first [[hand cannon]] appeared during the 1260 [[Battle of Ain Jalut]] between the [[Mamluk Sultanate (Cairo)|Mamluks]] and [[Mongol Empire|Mongols]] in the Middle East. The [[Cannon in the Middle Ages#Spread to Europe|first cannon in Europe]] were probably used in [[Iberian Peninsula|Iberia]], during the [[Reconquista]], in the 13th century, and [[English cannon]] were first deployed in the [[Hundred Years' War]], at the [[Battle of Crécy]], in 1346. It was during this period, the [[Middle Ages]], that cannon became standardized, and more effective in both the anti-infantry and siege roles. After the Middle Ages most large cannon were abandoned in favor of greater numbers of lighter, more maneuverable pieces. In addition, new technologies and tactics were developed, making most defenses obsolete; this led to the construction of [[star fort]]s, specifically designed to withstand artillery bombardment and the associated siege tactics.
-== Science and technology of the High Middle Ages==+Cannon also transformed [[naval warfare]] in the [[early modern period]], as European navies took advantage of their firepower. As [[rifling]] became more commonplace, the accuracy of cannon was significantly improved, and they became deadlier than ever, especially to infantry. In [[World War I]], the majority of all deaths were caused by cannon; they were also used widely in [[World War II]]. Most modern cannon are similar to those used in the Second World War, except for heavy naval guns, which have been replaced by [[missile]]s. In particular, [[autocannon]] have remained nearly identical to their World War II counterparts.
-During the early Middle Ages and the [[Islamic Golden Age]], [[Islamic philosophy]], [[Islamic science|science]], and [[Islamic inventions|technology]] were more advanced than in Western Europe. Islamic scholars both preserved and built upon earlier [[Ancient Greece|Ancient Greek]] and [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] traditions and also added their own inventions and innovations. Islamic [[al-Andalus]] passed much of this on to Europe (see [[Islamic contributions to Medieval Europe]]). The replacement of [[Roman numerals]] with the [[decimal]] [[positional number system]] and the invention of [[algebra]] allowed more advanced mathematics. Another consequence was that the Latin-speaking world regained access to lost classical literature and [[philosophy]]. [[Latin translations of the 12th century]] fed a passion for [[Aristotle|Aristotelian]] philosophy and [[Islamic science]] that is frequently referred to as the [[Renaissance of the 12th century]]. Meanwhile, trade grew throughout Europe as the dangers of travel were reduced, and steady economic growth resumed. Cathedral schools and monasteries ceased to be the sole sources of education in the 11th century when [[medieval university|universities]] were established in major European cities. Literacy became available to a wider class of people, and there were major advances in [[art]], [[sculpture]], [[music]], and [[architecture]]. Large [[cathedral]]s were built across [[Europe]], first in the [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]], and later in the more decorative [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] style.+
-During the 12th and 13th century in Europe, there was a radical change in the rate of new inventions, innovations in the ways of managing traditional means of production, and economic growth. The period saw major [[technology|technological]] advances, including the invention of [[cannon]], [[glasses|spectacles]], and [[artesian aquifer|artesian wells]], and the cross-cultural introduction of [[gunpowder]], [[silk]], the [[compass]], and the [[astrolabe]] from the east. There were also great improvements to [[ship]]s and the [[clock]]. The latter advances made possible the dawn of the [[Age of Discovery|Age of Exploration]]. At the same time, huge numbers of Greek and Arabic works on medicine and the sciences were translated and distributed throughout Europe. Aristotle especially became very important, his rational and logical approach to knowledge influencing the scholars at the newly forming [[university|universities]] which were absorbing and disseminating the new knowledge during the 12th Century Renaissance.+In addition to their widespread use in warfare, cannon are also used for a number of peaceful purposes such as [[avalanche control]].
- +
-== Culture ==+
-:''[[medieval culture]]''+
-* [[Medieval art]]+
-* [[Medieval popular culture]]+
-* [[Medieval architecture]]+
-* [[Medieval cuisine]]+
-* [[Medieval literature]]+
-* [[Medieval music]]+
-* [[Medieval philosophy]]+
-* [[Medieval poetry]]+
-* [[Medieval theatre]]+
- +
-== See also ==+
- +
-'''Middle Ages related pages:'''+
-* [[Barbarian invasions]]+
-* [[Crisis of the Late Middle Ages]]+
-* [[List of basic medieval history topics]]+
-* [[Medieval art]]+
-* [[Medieval architecture]]+
-* [[Medieval warm period]]+
-* [[commune (medieval)|Medieval communes]]+
-* [[Medieval chronological timeline]]+
-* [[Medieval cuisine]]+
-* [[Medieval demography]]+
-* [[List of famines]]+
-* [[Middle Ages in film]]+
-* [[Medieval gardening]]+
-* [[guild|Medieval guilds]]+
-* [[Horses in the Middle Ages]]+
-* [[Medieval household]]+
-* [[Medieval hunting]]+
-* [[Islamic Golden Age]]+
-* [[Jews in the Middle Ages|History of the Jews in the Middle Ages]]+
-* [[Medieval literature]]+
-* [[Medieval medicine]]+
-** [[Plague of Justinian]]+
-** [[Black Death]]+
-* [[Medieval music]]+
-* [[Neo-medievalism]]+
-* [[Medieval philosophy]]+
-* [[Medieval poetry]]+
-* [[Medieval reenactment]]+
-* [[History of science in the Middle Ages|Medieval science]]+
-** [[Alchemy]]+
-* [[Medieval ships]]+
-* [[Medieval theatre]]+
-* [[Medieval warfare]]+
-* [[Medieval Wars]]+
-* [[tournament (medieval)|Medieval tournament]]+
-* [[Mining and metallurgy in medieval Europe]]+
-* [[Popular revolt in late medieval Europe]]+
-* [[Serfdom]]+
-* [[Slave trade in the Middle Ages]]+
-* [[Tatar invasions]]+
-* [[The heroic age]]+
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A cannon is any piece of artillery that uses gunpowder or other usually explosive-based propellants to launch a projectile. Cannon vary in caliber, range, mobility, rate of fire, angle of fire, and firepower; different forms of cannon combine and balance these attributes in varying degrees, depending on their intended use on the battlefield. The word cannon is derived from several languages, in which the original definition can usually be translated as tube, cane, or reed. In modern times, cannon has fallen out of common usage, usually replaced by "guns" or "artillery", if not a more specific term, such as "mortar" or "howitzer".

First used in China, cannon were among the earliest forms of gunpowder artillery, and over time replaced siege engines—among other forms of aging weaponry—on the battlefield. The first hand cannon appeared during the 1260 Battle of Ain Jalut between the Mamluks and Mongols in the Middle East. The first cannon in Europe were probably used in Iberia, during the Reconquista, in the 13th century, and English cannon were first deployed in the Hundred Years' War, at the Battle of Crécy, in 1346. It was during this period, the Middle Ages, that cannon became standardized, and more effective in both the anti-infantry and siege roles. After the Middle Ages most large cannon were abandoned in favor of greater numbers of lighter, more maneuverable pieces. In addition, new technologies and tactics were developed, making most defenses obsolete; this led to the construction of star forts, specifically designed to withstand artillery bombardment and the associated siege tactics.

Cannon also transformed naval warfare in the early modern period, as European navies took advantage of their firepower. As rifling became more commonplace, the accuracy of cannon was significantly improved, and they became deadlier than ever, especially to infantry. In World War I, the majority of all deaths were caused by cannon; they were also used widely in World War II. Most modern cannon are similar to those used in the Second World War, except for heavy naval guns, which have been replaced by missiles. In particular, autocannon have remained nearly identical to their World War II counterparts.

In addition to their widespread use in warfare, cannon are also used for a number of peaceful purposes such as avalanche control.




Unless indicated otherwise, the text in this article is either based on Wikipedia article "Cannon" or another language Wikipedia page thereof used under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License; or on research by Jahsonic and friends. See Art and Popular Culture's copyright notice.

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