Alexander : a history of the origin and growth of the art of war from ...

668 SIEGE OF RHODES.In strategic manoeuvres, these generals followed the preceptsthey had learned. They protected their flanks andrear ; they marched directly upon their objective ; they soughtin battle a solution of their campaigns. Down to Ipsus, theGreeks and Macedonians generally fought bravely, if headedby a general who commanded their confidence. But themarches of the armies were accompanied by devastation andcruelties worthy only of the Orient. On the whole, these lieutenantsand successors of Alexander proved themselves asapt scholars of the great master as they were faithless to thekingdom he had created for his posterity.Of all the branches of the art, fortification and sieges grewmost. In mechanics, the construction of siege devices, andship-building, there were marked advances. Demetrius Poliorcetes,aided by the Greek Epimachus, made the siege ofRhodes one of the distinct events of that age. The constructionsand machines at this siege were in size beyond anythingso far known. Most celebrated is the remarkable tower builtfor Demetrius by Epimachus, which he named Helepolis.Each side was of fifty cubits (seventy-five feet) ; the heightwas one hundred cubits. The three sides towards the enemywere iron-plated. It rested on huge wheels, and had nine stories,connected by ladders. The windows were protected bymovable blinds, through which the engines could fire. Theroof story was plated, and here archers and missile-throwerswere stationed. It took thirty-four hundred men to move thehuge structure, which was done from within and the rear. Thewonder of Demetrius' work in attack is only equaled by theskill of the defense. This was so fertile in expedients, soable and bold and persistent, that Demetrius finally deemedit wise to make terms.After the battle of Ipsus (301 B. C.) tactics became Asiaticised,and the lessons of Alexander were gradually forgotten.