Siege Engine

medieval warfare · engineering · castles · history

Walls meet weapons. Siege engines were specially designed machines that helped armies break through or get over thick castle walls and heavy gates. Without them, attackers would be stuck outside forever.

Launch and smash. Some siege engines threw huge rocks and heavy projectiles at walls from far away, while others like battering rams rolled up close to pound on gates and walls directly.

Scaling the heights. Siege towers on wheels looked like giant wooden boxes and let soldiers climb up and over castle walls to fight the defenders on top.

Built on the spot. Many siege engines couldn't be moved, so armies had to construct them right where they needed them during a battle, which took time and a lot of skill.

Combo contraptions. The cleverest siege engines combined different ideas together, mixing throwing power, smashing power, and climbing abilities into one amazing machine.