Assyrian siege warfare

Assyrian siege warfare was a strategic approach used by the ancient Assyrian Empire to conquer fortified cities. They would surround a city, cutting off supplies and reinforcements, while employing various tactics to breach defenses. Assyrians used battering rams to break down walls, employed siege towers to scale them, and dug tunnels to undermine them. They also utilized psychological tactics, such as displaying severe brutality to instill fear. Prolonged blockades starved out defenders, prompting surrender. This combination of military engineering, psychological warfare, and resource control made the Assyrians effective conquerors during their reign from the 10th to 7th centuries BCE.