According to Al Needham:
>
> Anyone know if bees were ever used as a weapon of war ?
 
The Romans used to load hives of bees on their catapults and
throw them at their enemies.  This was so effective that they
depleted central Italy of bee colonies for their ammunition.
 
Considering the leather skirts, tunics, etc. worn by ancient
soldiers, a hive crashing down in the middle of a cohort of
advancing soldiers, or over the wall of a fortress, would
likely have been quite effective. . .
 
In the Middle Ages, defenders of castles would sometimes drop
hives over the walls into the beseiging armies.
 
This info culled from various magazine articles I've read over
the past few years.  FWIW
 
Regards,
 
Fred