Ancient weapons always attract our attention. Over the past centuries, many of its species have disappeared forever, others have changed their appearance. And only a few of them, having retained their main features, continue to serve people. Among these few, throwing weapons should be mentioned. It appeared much later than the first types of edged weapons (flint axes, scrapers, knives, etc.), but is still the oldest human weapon. The simplest throwing weapon is the bow; the crossbow and throwing machines are much more complex. Contents: History of the bow, types and devices of the bow, combat properties of bows. Ancient crossbows, crossbows in Europe, types and devices of crossbows, combat properties of crossbows, crossbows in Rus', revival in the 20th century.