Difference between revisions of "Siege"
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==Origin== | ==Origin== | ||
[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] sege, from Anglo-French, seat, blockade, from Old French *siegier to seat, settle, from Vulgar Latin *sedicare, from [[Latin]] sedēre to sit | [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] sege, from Anglo-French, seat, blockade, from Old French *siegier to seat, settle, from Vulgar Latin *sedicare, from [[Latin]] sedēre to sit | ||
| − | *[ | + | *[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/13th_century 13th Century] |
==Definitions== | ==Definitions== | ||
*1: obsolete : a seat of distinction : [[throne]] | *1: obsolete : a seat of distinction : [[throne]] | ||
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A '''siege''' is a [[military]] blockade of a [[city]] or [[fortress]] with the [[intent]] of conquering by attrition or assault. The term derives from sedere, [[Latin]] for "to sit". Generally speaking, siege warfare is a form of constant, low [[intensity]] [[conflict]] characterized by one party holding a strong, [[static]] defensive position. Consequently, an [[opportunity]] for [[negotiation]] between combatants is not uncommon, as proximity and fluctuating [[advantage]] can [[encourage]] [[diplomacy]]. | A '''siege''' is a [[military]] blockade of a [[city]] or [[fortress]] with the [[intent]] of conquering by attrition or assault. The term derives from sedere, [[Latin]] for "to sit". Generally speaking, siege warfare is a form of constant, low [[intensity]] [[conflict]] characterized by one party holding a strong, [[static]] defensive position. Consequently, an [[opportunity]] for [[negotiation]] between combatants is not uncommon, as proximity and fluctuating [[advantage]] can [[encourage]] [[diplomacy]]. | ||
| − | A siege occurs when an attacker encounters a [[city]] or [[fortress]] that cannot be easily taken by a [ | + | A siege occurs when an attacker encounters a [[city]] or [[fortress]] that cannot be easily taken by a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coup_de_main coup de main] and refuses to [[surrender]]. Sieges involve [[surrounding]] the target and blocking the reinforcement or [[escape]] of troops or [[provision]] of supplies (a tactic known as "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Investment_(military) investment]"), typically coupled with attempts to reduce the fortifications by means of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_engine siege engines], artillery bombardment, mining (also known as sapping), or the use of [[deception]] or treachery to bypass [[defenses]]. Failing a [[military]] outcome, sieges can often be [[decided]] by [[starvation]], [[thirst]] or [[disease]], which can afflict either the attacker or defender. |
| − | Sieges probably predate the [[development]] of [[cities]] as large [[population]] [[centers]]. Ancient cities in the [ | + | Sieges probably predate the [[development]] of [[cities]] as large [[population]] [[centers]]. Ancient cities in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_East Middle East] show [[archaeological]] [[evidence]] of having had fortified [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_wall city walls]. During the Warring States era of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_China ancient China], there is both [[textual]] and [[archaeological]] [[evidence]] of prolonged sieges and siege machinery used against the defenders of city walls. Siege machinery was also a [[tradition]] of the ancient [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greco-Roman_world Greco-Roman world]. During the [[Renaissance]] and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_Modern_period Early Modern period], siege warfare [[dominated]] the conduct of [[war]] in Europe. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonardo_da_Vinci Leonardo da Vinci] gained as much of his renown from the [[design]] of fortifications as from his artwork. |
| − | [ | + | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medieval Medieval] [[campaigns]] were generally designed around a [[succession]] of sieges. In the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleon_I_of_France Napoleonic] era, increasing use of ever more powerful [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannon cannon] reduced the [[value]] of fortifications. In the 20th century, the significance of the classical siege declined. With the advent of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maneuver_warfare mobile warfare], a single fortified stronghold is no longer as [[decisive]] as it once was. While [[traditional]] sieges do still occur, they are not as common as they once were due to [[changes]] in modes of battle, principally the ease by which huge volumes of destructive [[power]] can be directed onto a [[static]] target. [[Modern]] sieges are more commonly the result of smaller hostage, militant, or [[extreme]] resisting-arrest situations such as the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waco_Siege Waco Siege].[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seige] |
[[Category: History]] | [[Category: History]] | ||
Latest revision as of 02:32, 13 December 2020
Origin
Middle English sege, from Anglo-French, seat, blockade, from Old French *siegier to seat, settle, from Vulgar Latin *sedicare, from Latin sedēre to sit
Definitions
- 1: obsolete : a seat of distinction : throne
- 2a : a military blockade of a city or fortified place to compel it to surrender
Description
A siege is a military blockade of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by attrition or assault. The term derives from sedere, Latin for "to sit". Generally speaking, siege warfare is a form of constant, low intensity conflict characterized by one party holding a strong, static defensive position. Consequently, an opportunity for negotiation between combatants is not uncommon, as proximity and fluctuating advantage can encourage diplomacy.
A siege occurs when an attacker encounters a city or fortress that cannot be easily taken by a coup de main and refuses to surrender. Sieges involve surrounding the target and blocking the reinforcement or escape of troops or provision of supplies (a tactic known as "investment"), typically coupled with attempts to reduce the fortifications by means of siege engines, artillery bombardment, mining (also known as sapping), or the use of deception or treachery to bypass defenses. Failing a military outcome, sieges can often be decided by starvation, thirst or disease, which can afflict either the attacker or defender.
Sieges probably predate the development of cities as large population centers. Ancient cities in the Middle East show archaeological evidence of having had fortified city walls. During the Warring States era of ancient China, there is both textual and archaeological evidence of prolonged sieges and siege machinery used against the defenders of city walls. Siege machinery was also a tradition of the ancient Greco-Roman world. During the Renaissance and the Early Modern period, siege warfare dominated the conduct of war in Europe. Leonardo da Vinci gained as much of his renown from the design of fortifications as from his artwork.
Medieval campaigns were generally designed around a succession of sieges. In the Napoleonic era, increasing use of ever more powerful cannon reduced the value of fortifications. In the 20th century, the significance of the classical siege declined. With the advent of mobile warfare, a single fortified stronghold is no longer as decisive as it once was. While traditional sieges do still occur, they are not as common as they once were due to changes in modes of battle, principally the ease by which huge volumes of destructive power can be directed onto a static target. Modern sieges are more commonly the result of smaller hostage, militant, or extreme resisting-arrest situations such as the Waco Siege.[1]
