Mardi ibn Ali al-Tarsusi was a 12th-century Ayyubid-era writer and expert on military matters.Nicolle & McBride 1986:17 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.Scott Farrell, Jim Bradbury, Medieval Siege p255-256
In On the Social Origins of Medieval Institutions,Philip Daileader, On the Social Origins of Medieval Institutions more detailed quotes by Tarsusi may be found on the various types of trebuchets.
The well known treatise was entitled , 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."Needham 1986:42
Notes
References Claude Cahen, Un traité d'armurerie composé pour Saladin, Bulletin d'études orientales, vol 12, 1947-1948, pp. 103–163 (edition and partial translation, on line). A. Boudot-Lamotte and F. Viré, Contribution à l'étude de l'archerie musulmane, Institut français de Damas: Damascus, 1968, OCLC 2000537 (edition and translation of archery chapters from Murdî Ibn ˀAlî Murdî al-Tarsusî). Needham, Joseph, Science and civilisation in China, 1986, Cambridge University Press, excerpts inline Nicolle, David; McBride, Angus; Saladin and the Saracens, 1986, Osprey Publishing