Customer Reviews

Greek and Roman Siege Machinery 399 BC-AD 363 (New Vanguard)

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This book provides a brief (48 pages, about half of which are illustration) introduction to the topic. The book provides an exposition into only those siege machines that were mentioned explicitely in the literature of antiquity. The siege machines are broken down into 5 categories, wheeled towers, tortoise sheds (basically armored cupolas intended to provide cover to those filling or digging ditches or undermining fortifications) and ancillary machines (mostly intended to undermine walls). The emphasis is on Greek siege machines but the discussion on Roman primarily emphasizes the simpler, more practical engineering used by the Romans as well as the extensive associated use of earthen ramps used by the Romans for their siege towers.

The book discribes the machines as the ancient writers described them, provides interpreations of these writings by numerous historians and then provides his own interpretation on what these machines looked like and how they were built and functioned. Very well illustrated. A very good introduction to those with only about an hour to spend and with an interest in engineering.