The Siege of Tyre

Construction of the first siege mole and second wider/broader mole with many more towers (the

first being burnt down by the Tyrians with cauldrons) both were made out of nearby resources.

Alexander recruits an enormous fleet of ships from Phoenician towns he has conquered,

various cities of Asia Minor and from Cyprus who he won an allegiance with.

Alexander attacks by sea with his new powerful fleet, the Tyrians refuse to fight blocking their harbours

with large ships. The Phoenicians sink three allowing the crew to swim to safety near the mole.

The Tyrians launched a surprise attack against the Cyprians who were blockading the northern

harbour, ramming ships commanded by Androcles and Pasicrates. They returned to the harbour too late to be rammed by Alexander.

Alexander breaches Tyre attacking on land ‘in the thick of it’ with his men. The Macedonian army

slaughter many fleeing Tyrian defenders and the Phoenician and Cyprian ships ram through the

northern harbour into town.

Tyrian losses were at about 8,000, Alexander loosing 400 men in total. He sends 30,000 Tyrians

into slavery, sparing only King Azemilcus along with some nobles and priests who sought the temple of Heracles .Games, sacrifices and dedications to the gods were held and Alexander finally sacrifices to

Heracles.