The Siege of Tyre

 

The Siege of Tyre

(Blockage of Tyre)

Tyre was a wealthy, powerful city built on a small island about half a mile from the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Its high walls rose straight out of the water, and its strong navy protected its busy trade. The Tyrians wanted to stay neutral and keep trading with everyone.

When Alexander arrived, he knew he couldn’t leave such a strong enemy behind him. The Tyrians sent him a gold crown and friendly messages, but they refused to let him enter their city. Alexander decided to attack.

His bold plan was to build a **causeway** (a wide road) from the mainland to the island, using stones and ruins from the old city of Tyre. His soldiers worked enthusiastically, cutting down cedar trees from Lebanon to use as piles (support beams). The Tyrians fought back with darts, stones, and arrows from their walls and ships.

One day, the Tyrians sent a **fire ship**—a galley filled with pitch, tar, and dry wood—toward Alexander’s wooden towers and engines. The ship set everything on fire, destroying months of work. Then a storm came and washed away large parts of the causeway.

But Alexander did not give up. He rebuilt the causeway, wider and stronger. He collected his own fleet from nearby Sidon. He used **battering rams** (heavy beams to smash walls) and stone-throwing machines. He even chained ships together to make fighting platforms.

After **seven months** of fighting, Alexander’s army finally broke through the southern wall. The soldiers stormed the city, killing and destroying everything in their way. Alexander then acted cruelly: he executed many people and reportedly crucified 2,000 survivors. This shows that success was making him proud and harsh.

Around this time, King Darius sent a second peace offer. He offered a huge ransom for his family, all land west of the Euphrates River, and his daughter in marriage. Alexander refused arrogantly. When his old general Parmenio said, “I would accept if I were Alexander,” Alexander replied, “So would I if I were Parmenio.”

One small story shows Alexander still had courage. One night on a mountain, his elderly teacher Lysimachus couldn’t keep up. Alexander stayed with him, killed two enemy guards, took their firewood, and made a warm campfire for the night.

The siege of Tyre is remembered as one of Alexander’s greatest military achievements, but it also marks the beginning of his loss of kindness and mercy.