Best Siege Operation In Ancient History

[pompeius magnus]

Who do you think was the master of the siege in the ancient world, or what was the best executed siege operation.

[Primus Pilus]

I have to go with Caesar, not only because of the brilliance of Alesia, but because he proved superior siege capability in campaign after campaign.

 

Just some rough examples...

 

Alesia stands out, of course, but the Gallic campaign included several sieges.

 

Massilia in Narbonensis... essentially conducted by Gaius Trebonius, but its initial stages were directed under Caesar.

 

Petreius and Afranius (Pompey's Legates in Hispania) were essentially besieged, but on open land. Sure they were scared to face Caesar in open battle, but it doesn't change the fact that he essentially 'besieged' them into submission through maneuvering and bottling them up.

 

Dyrrachium.. despite losing the battle, Caesar nearly ended the 'civil war' without actually coming to major conflict with Pompey. Pompey was effectively maneuvered into an untenable position and besieged, but he did eventually show some backbone and skill and defeated Caesar's smaller army where the siege works weren't yet completed.

 

Alexandria showed Caesar's ability to withstand a siege while precariously undermanned.

 

The Republicans in Africa (who spent months delaying and avoiding battle with Caesar) were maneuvered into a 'no escape' stretch of land at Thapsus and fortified in, forcing them to do battle.. and be destroyed.

[Ursus]

Hi. Since this topic seemed military, I just thought I'd move it here where it may get better traffic among the military buffs. :-)

[Hamilcar Barca]

Don't forget the siege of Carthage. It took three years but as they gave command to a Scipio, results were achieved. Also worth mentioning is Pomepius Strabo who, after the most famous siege of the Social War, became known as the "Butcher of Ausculum".

 

As for Rome's enemies, Alaric I has to win this for his three sieges and eventual sacking of Rome itself in 410AD.

[Guest Scanderbeg]

What was involved in these sieges? Attila's ways of sieging was pretty impressive. He would make ramps inwhich his Huns would breach the walls on horseback.

[pompeius magnus]

I personally like the siege of Syracuse by Marcellus in 215 or so. Led by the brillant Alchamdies, spelling off, the syracusians held off and also a carthaginian garision helped. The inability to fight off Rome by carthage, as well as internal problems, nobles got in contact with Marcellus who promised them old property if they caused dissention, and the turning of Garrision commander, a Spanish officer, that completed the siege. Marcellus was brutal when he entered and had his lots switched to ITaly when he won conculship because the Sicilians complained of how he would be brutal and merciless if he stayed.

[Hamilcar Barca]

Syracuse was cool, but it was sad that Archimedes was killed. His defence engine, the claw was increadible.

 

As for Alaric I, he basicly starved Rome out as well as smashing the aquaducts which led into the city. Rome sufferred badly and eventually a traitor let Alaric in through the west gates.

[Zeke]

Probably the Seige of Tyre by the Maceadonians under Alexander was as epic as the seige of Celtic Alesia.

 

But Tyre held out preety long against Alexander!

 

Zeke

[P.Clodius]

Dyrracium, Alesia, Syracuse, Jerusalem, all classic sieges with their own story to tell. I love reading about them all because it's where the strength of Roman character/resolve shines through! The bottom line, if you were besieged by the Romans it was just a matter of time before you were the victim of the sack of your city (due to your own stuborness/ignorance), or sold into slavery.

[Primus Pilus]

Has anyone mentioned Masada? Another masterful Roman engineering achievement in which enormous ramps built to the Jewish hold out at the top of the mountain... ending with the anti-climactic suicide of the Jews inside.

[P.Clodius]

Another classic, how the hell did I forget that one!!!!