Changes

==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  

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/13th_century 13th Century]

*[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]]

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 [http://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 "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Investment_(military) investment]"), typically coupled with attempts to reduce the fortifications by means of [http://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.

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 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_East Middle East] show [[archaeological]] [[evidence]] of having had fortified [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_wall city walls]. During the Warring States era of [http://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 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greco-Roman_world Greco-Roman world]. During the [[Renaissance]] and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_Modern_period Early Modern period], siege warfare [[dominated]] the conduct of [[war]] in Europe. [http://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.

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.

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medieval Medieval] [[campaigns]] were generally designed around a [[succession]] of sieges. In the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleon_I_of_France Napoleonic] era, increasing use of ever more powerful [http://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 [http://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 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waco_Siege Waco Siege].[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seige]

[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]]