Part 2

The Siege of Tyre and Strategic Information Systems used during its completion

Written by Seán Butler: Reviewed by Gary Tiscovschi and Mykola Babiy

In the previous blog, we learned how difficult the Siege must have been to complete. It begs the question, how did he do it?

When Alexander became aware of New Tyre’s supposed impregnability, he convened a council of war, explaining to his generals the vital importance of securing the island before advancing on Egypt. Alexander initially tried to occupy Tyre with diplomacy, by sending messengers with letters, asking the Tyrians to stand down. However, the messengers were slaughtered and publicly strewn over the walls of the fortress. Think of how applications such as Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Outlook could have helped through instant access to communication and no lives put at risk!

New Tyre was connected to the mainland (Old Tyre) by a natural land bridge, most of it submerged only two feet deep. Enraged, Alexander ordered his men to begin gathering building material and rubble from the destroyed Old Tyre and began building a causeway across the channel. (Think of how Microsoft Excel could have aided in making checklists for the resources needed and in tracking their supply).

It started off well, catapults were built at the edge of the causeway and were used to launch projectiles at the walls of the fortress. However, the further from the shore they went, the harder it became to construct the cause-way due to deepening waters and increased defences. ATG’s catapults struggled to keep the Tyrian’s defences at bay.

The Tyrians eventually used a more active mode of defence by towing an old ship once used to transport horses, filled with combustibles, directly into the causeway whilst set alight. Siege towers and barricades were engulfed in flames and laborers who attempted to put the fire out were attacked by soldiers on rowboats who stormed the causeway. (Think of how Microsoft Excel could have been used to develop risk management plans in mitigating the risks posed by the Tyrians defences).

Consequently, Alexander went on a quest to build his navy. He sent letters to Byblus, Aradus, Rhodes, Lycia, Cicilia and Macedan (The Kings of Cyprus) who sent him 120 ships. Alexander began his second attempt at sieging the fortress, this time, attacking its perimeter entirely with his navy and with an even larger causeway, with more catapults and protected by boats. (Again, these requests could have been sent instantly via Microsoft Outlook and Teams).

In July 332 BC, after 7 months of relentless work, battering rams on his navy’s fleet finally collapsed one of the city’s walls. With 6000 Tyrians slain, a further 2000 crucified, and the rest of its people sold into slavery, the fortress was taken. A success…

If this tremendous feat tickles your fancy, more detailed synopsizes can be found here;

Article: https://www.ancient.eu/article/107/alexanders-siege-of-tyre-332-bce/

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WkWy47ighY

Although the siege was a success, it leaves us with the question, how could it be improved?

Find out how in parts [3/4]…