Besiegers

Besiegers are the military forces that conduct a siege against a fortified place, such as a city or fortress. Their aim is to compel surrender by isolating the defense from supplies and reinforcements, and by applying pressure through various means, sometimes alongside direct assault.

Common methods include encirclement or blockade to cut off access, bombardment with artillery, and mining or sapping to undermine walls. Besiegers also construct siege works, such as circumvallation (a line of fortifications around the fortress) and contravallation (outer lines to protect against relief forces), and may undertake scaling attempts or staged assaults to breach defenses.

Sieges vary in duration from days to years. Outcomes depend on supply and morale, fortification resilience, external relief, weather, and leadership. Surrender terms can include capitulation, safe passage, or withdrawal of the garrison; in some cases, the fortress is taken by storm or the defenders negotiate terms.

Historically, siege warfare has shaped fortification design, logistics, and broader military strategy. In modern warfare sieges are less common but can occur in urban campaigns, insurgencies, or naval blockades. International law restricts certain siege methods and emphasizes civilian protection and humanitarian access.

Notable examples include Julius Caesar’s siege of Alesia (52 BCE), the Ottoman siege of Malta (1565), the English siege of Orléans (1428–1429), and the German siege of Leningrad (1941–1944).