The great leaders and generals, including Darius, Alexander the Great, Hannibal, and Julius Caesar, successfully used siege tactics to achieve their goals. As siege tactics became an integral part of success in warfare, generals turned to engineers and scientists to develop strategies, as well as offensive and defensive technologies, to gain an advantage over their enemies. The mathematician Archimedes famously and practically participated in the defense of Syracuse in 213-212 BC. Soldiers became exceptionally skilled combat engineers.

The book traces the remarkable developments in siege warfare over a period of nine centuries and includes details on the evolution of the artillery of the time - catapults that hurled projectiles with spears and stones. The color illustrations, many design sketches, photographs of archaeological findings, and reconstructions support the specialized yet accessible writing in this fascinating exploration of a lesser-known aspect of ancient warfare.