Historic Sieges That Altered the Course of Civilization

Military tactics have evolved significantly over time. While the concept of a siege may evoke images of medieval warfare, modern military forces continue to use this strategy today, but with some updates and adaptations.

Sieges have played a crucial role in determining the course of wars throughout history, but they are rarely quick victories. Many have dragged on for years, turning into long and brutal struggles for everyone involved.

Although siege tactics have changed, the core concept remains the same--a military strategy in which forces surround a target area, cutting off all supplies and access to reinforcements. By blocking escape routes and preventing aid, the aim is to force a surrender.

Some of the shortest sieges in history lasted only a few weeks, while some of the longest, like the Siege of Ceuta and the Siege of Azotus, lasted over 20 years.

In modern warfare, this tactic is commonly referred to as encirclement rather than siege. Despite the change in terminology and appearance, this tactic remains a crucial element of military strategy, even if it looks different than medieval sieges of the past.

Sieges are used for various reasons, including taking control of an area, confining the enemy to one location, or cutting off any communication to the enemy. There have been many sieges throughout history, including several sieges that stand out from the rest.

Some of the history's most legendary sieges are remembered for their length, while others are known for their impact.

To compile this list of sieges throughout history, 24/7 Tempo consulted numerous sources, starting with research from the Global Scientific Journal about the impact of siege warfare. We also compared various sieges based on research from sources such as the Journal of Military History. (Click here for the 20 longest wars in history.)

• 1648-1669, Greece
• The Siege of Candia was one of the longest sieges in history. This siege was carried out by the Ottomans but the Venetians ruling Candia eventually surrendered after 21 brutal years. One interesting aspect of this siege is the planned use of biological warfare organized by the Venetians. Although it was never implemented, recent research has shown the Venetian Intelligence Services planned to infect the Ottomans with the plague.

• 149-146 BC, North Africa
• The Siege of Carthage took place during the Third Punic War, an ongoing battle between ancient Rome and the city of Carthage. Those in the city of Carthage were prepared for the siege and the Romans were unable to breach the walls of the city for three years. Once inside, it took six days for the Roman general to defeat the resistance within the walls of Carthage. Ultimately, the Romans sold the remaining 50,000 prisoners into slavery.

• 15th century BC, Palestine
• As one of the first recorded sieges in military history, the Siege of Megiddo is a significant one. Thutmose III, the Egyptian Pharaoh, marched into battle to fight a rebellious group of city-states in what is now modern-day Palestine. The Battle of Megiddo then turned into a seven-month-long siege until the leaders of Megiddo finally surrendered.

• 659-630 BC, present-day Israel
• Depending on how long you consider the Siege of Ceuta to be, the Siege of Azotus is either the longest or second-longest siege in history. This siege took place on the coast of what is now Israel and was led by Egyptian ruler Psamtik I. The Siege of Azotus, now known as Ashdod, lasted 29 years.

• May 18, 1863-July 4, 1863, Mississippi
• As one of the shortest sieges in history on this list, the Siege of Vicksburg took place over a period of 47 days. This siege occurred during the Civil War and was led by General Ulysses S Grant. The Siege of Vicksburg wasn't Grant's first attempt to control the city of Vicksburg. However, this time Grant succeeded after closing in the city with 70,000 troops outside.

• 332 BC, Lebanon
• Alexander the Great led the Siege of Tyre as a rally against the Persians. The leader could not easily capture Tyre since it supposedly contained 150 ft walls and was located at least half a mile from the shore. Alexander the Great started the siege by taking over the ancient city of Tyre, then proceeding to construct a causeway from the ancient city to the mainland. In July, the siege ended, leading Alexander the Great to turn his attention to Egypt.

• 406-396 BC, Italy
• The Siege of Veii was a conflict between ancient Rome and the Etruscan city of Veii. The Roman dictator Marcus Furius Camillus led the siege, which lasted nearly a decade. The Etruscan Civilization in ancient Italy inhabited the city of Veii. In 396 BC, the ongoing conflict between the city of Veii and the Romans came to an end when Camillus took hold of the city.

• 1941-1944, Soviet Russia
• During World War II, a brutal siege took place in the city of Leningrad, now modern-day St. Petersburg. In 1941, Nazi Germany attempted to take control of Leningrad in Soviet Russia. This city and its citizens were unprepared for the attack. They were even more unprepared for the starvation that came from the siege. Despite the horrifying difficulties they faced, Leningrad was able to hold off the Nazi forces for nearly three years.

• 1694-1727, North Africa
• The Siege of Ceuta is the longest siege in recorded history. Although some sources claim this siege lasted 26 years, others show it lasted as long as 33 years. The Siege of Ceuta, or the thirty year siege, took place in the Spanish-controlled North African city of Ceuta. It was led by the Moroccan Sultan, Moulay Ismail ibn Sharif.

• 12th century BC, modern-day Turkey
• While it's difficult to separate fact from fiction when it comes to the Trojan War, we do know that the ancient city of Troy existed. Historians have speculated for centuries about the accuracies of the accounts described in the "Aeneid" and the "Iliad." Based on what we know, this siege was a 10-year conflict between the Greeks and the city of Troy. (Read The 15 Most Pivotal Naval Battles in History.)