How did the ancient Greeks and Egyptians lay a siege to a city?

Question

Did they have siege weapons like the Romans did?
What sort of tactics did they apply?
How long did a siege last?
How merciful were they when they conquered a city?

Answer 1

Some strategies used throughout history to besiege cities include: STARVATION - keep an army outside the city and prevent supplies getting in. Eventually the defenders will starve to death. MINING - dig a tunnel under the walls and cause the walls to collapse. TRICKERY - fool the defenders into opening the gates, as did Odysseus at Troy. TREASON - pay off some of the defenders to let your army inside. If all else fails climb the walls and fight it out.

Answer 2

If you go back far enough, there were no siege engines. In the story of the Trojan War, that lasted traditionally 1194-1184BC, all we hear about are scaling ladders. The Greeks surrounded Troy and tried to cut off supplies to it, but that was unsuccessful, so the war continued ten years with Trojans staying mainly behind their thick walls. The Greeks found a clever way to get some men into the city. Epeus supervised the construction of a huge wooden horse, and some men hid inside it. I have't heard other tales of such things happening. Troy really existed, and there is evidence of a long siege on one level of it. The tale of Troy is the best account we have of an ancient siege, but much of it is fantasy.

Answer 3

The previous answer is very good... i would add that the seige could take years.



Also, depending on the ferocity of the defense and length of the siege, mercy could be lacking. Alexander the Great slaughtered the citizens of Tyre when it held out against him.

Answer 4

i don't understand something with regard to the NBA being in Europe yet i'm very conscious of the NHL doing their annual excursions throughout the time of the pre-season and it constantly produces extra followers for NHL communities. With MLB I experience it would desire to be a blended bag in an attempt to communicate - the yank previous time meets the British previous time of soccer (soccer)? initially i could anticipate the stable British to ensue in droves to be certain the "Yankees" as, nicely face it they have arguably between the terrific names in activities - i don't think of they are able to anticipate to income extra of an objective industry than say Manchester United. followers might or would possibly not wreck out in fights interior the stands. at present there are hockey golf equipment throughout great Britain - i think of baseball could be a hard sell through cricket followers. i've got considered some Cricket Qs in this internet site in Baseball and that they are not friendly in the direction of baseball gamers or followers right here. i think of it rather is a robust thought yet i could wish that MLB chooses properly. i'm not bought on the thought great Britain will take to baseball as say Japan or different Asian and South American worldwide places have. Italy won't take to it to boot as say the Netherlands. interior the top, I speculate that the terrific fulfillment will come from Netherlands, Belgium, or maybe the tinier u . s . a . of Luxembourg the place regular George "Blood and Gutts" Patton is buried.

Answer 5

Ask Oda Nobunaga...or Alexander the Great. There were a great many tactics used - remember all is fair in love and war. Most of the battles likely won with a show of military might ... aka: numbers.