What do battering rams do and how do they work?

Answer 1

Battering rams were used in the Medieval period for basically ramming the fort or castle gate down, hence the name "battering ram". A group of about ten men (five on each side) would wheel it down to the gates and start swinging the center of the battering ram (a long log with usually a rams head at the front, attached by rope.) They keep on knocking until the gate has been destroyed.

Source taken from "Rome Total War" try it!