A Manubalista (also known as a Manuballista or Cheiroballistra) is a large Roman crossbow. While it is powerful, it is heavy and hard to aim. It also takes a few minutes to set up, load, and ready to fire between shots.
The Trials of Apollo[]
The Tyrant's Tomb[]
Lavinia Asimov uses a manubalista to take out an Eurynomos trying to eat Apollo, Meg McCaffrey, and the body of Jason Grace. She later uses it during the Quest to Tarquin’s Tomb when fighting off Tarquin’s forces as she Apollo, Meg, and Hazel Levesque retreat. When Apollo asks why she uses it as a primary weapon, the daughter of Terpsichore simply says she has reasons.