Battles in antiquity did not always take place on wide-open fields. Because of their strategic value and ability to control the surrounding region, cities were often high-priority targets for enemy armies. However, conquering them was not an easy task, and defenders had access to many different ways of defending their home during a siege. 

Theme: Siege warfare in the ancient world

• Ross Cowan, 'Introduction to the theme'
• Sean Hussmann, 'Siege warfare in Thucydides'
• Konstantine Nossov, 'Punic fortifications'
• Richard Evers, 'Spartan siege warfare'
• Duncan B. Campbell, 'The Siege of Masada'
• Paul McDonnell-Staff, 'Logistics and siege warfare'

Features

• Stephan Berry, 'Bioarchaeology and the ancient battlefield part 2'
• Murray Dahm, 'The debate: Clash of the phalanx'