Siege Devices. Most Greek cities had elaborate defensive walls and were built on strategically high points. Nevertheless, the Greeks did not develop sophisticated forms of siege craft until well into the historical period. The legendary siege of Troy lasted ten years and was successful only because of the Trojan Horse, a work of deception. From the Persians, the Greeks might have learned about siege ramps and undermining, but their citizen armies did not have the time or resources for these types of activities. The Athenian general Pericles is said to have used siege devices at Samos in 440. They included rams and "tortoises," that is, shells to protect those manning the rams; however, for the most part the Athenians depended on blockades, and they took three years (432-429 B.C.E.) to capture Potidaea in this way.

Dionysius the...