Top 10 Greatest Siege Engines

1. Trebuchet

   A trebuchet is a type of medieval siege engine that uses a counterweight to launch projectiles. It was capable of hurling large stones or incendiaries over long distances. The mechanism relied on gravity and leverage for its operation.

   A truly ingenious upgrade over the existing catapult. Greater range meant the attackers could fire from farther away, and therefore stay out of range of defensive projectiles.

2. Cannon

   A cannon is a large, tube-shaped weapon that uses explosive propellants to fire projectiles. It was introduced in Europe during the late Middle Ages and became a key component in early gunpowder warfare. Cannons were mounted on wheeled carriages or fortifications for mobility and support.

   From a certain perspective, the cannon brought about the downfall of the castle as an effective defensible position. If an attacker had enough gunpowder and shot, they could simply find the range on a particular soft spot of the wall and continue to hammer it with successive shots. Inevitably, the wall would breach, and the attackers could then take the next step in their assault. They could either launch an infantry assault through the breach or continue to barrage the fortification with cannon, but now with an opening to see inside the fortification.

3. Catapult

   A catapult is a tension-based siege device designed to launch objects at enemy structures or troops. It typically used twisted ropes or other elastic materials to store energy. Variants of catapults date back to ancient Greece and Rome.

   This engine allowed the attackers to hurl rocks, fire, or other projectiles at the walls and even into the interior of a defensive position.

4. Siege Tower

   A siege tower is a tall, mobile structure built to protect attackers and allow them to scale defensive walls. It was wheeled into position and could match or exceed the height of fortress walls. These towers often housed archers and ladders inside.

   Used with great effect by Alexander in his siege of Tyre, it gave attackers the ability to gain height and fight defenders at their level, or even above them. More importantly, it allowed them to view the inside of the fortification and to adjust the attack accordingly.

5. Ballista

   A ballista is an ancient missile weapon resembling a giant crossbow that used torsion to fire bolts or stones. It was primarily used for long-range attacks against fortifications or personnel. The device was typically operated by multiple soldiers.

6. Onager

   An onager is a type of Roman catapult that used a single vertical arm and twisted ropes to launch stones. It derived its name from the wild ass due to the device's violent kickback. The onager was primarily used in siege warfare to damage walls or cause disruption.

7. Roman Ram

   The Romans, with their well-deserved accolades for improving on existing ingenuity, made the ram into a highly effective siege engine of antiquity. Once devising a covering (a roof) for the ram, the device became a mainstay of castle assault. The device could be enhanced in the field by adding weight to the ram, thereby increasing its kinetic energy.

8. Battering Ram

   A battering ram is a heavy beam used to break through doors, walls, or gates during sieges. It was often suspended by ropes or mounted on wheels for repeated strikes. Some were covered with protective roofs to shield operators.

9. Mangonel

   A mangonel is a medieval siege engine that used torsion to hurl projectiles in a high arc. It was often confused with other catapult types but featured a simpler mechanism. Mangonels were commonly used to throw stones or firepots.

10. Siege Ladder

    A siege ladder is a portable device used to scale walls during assaults on fortifications. Soldiers would carry and place the ladders against walls to climb into enemy defenses. They were typically made of wood and constructed for quick deployment.

    As long as the attackers could accept some early losses, this form of attack usually proved effective, at least initially. As more attackers kept the defenders occupied with hand-to-hand skirmishes, more attackers made it over the wall and into the enemy's fortification. As any military personnel would agree, having hostiles within your perimeter is not good. This form of attack would prove difficult to maintain over time as effective defensive measures were forthcoming.