The city of Tyre in southern Lebanon is one of the oldest cities in the world.
But it wasnt always like this.
Tyre was originally an island with half a kilometer of open water separating it from the mainland.
The island was formidably defended with high walls surrounded on all sides that was 45 meters tall at places.
Satellite view of the city of Tyre.
But subjugating Tyre was important for Alexander, because it was the Persians last harbor in the region.
Alexander decided to use trickery to gain entry.
Alexander then tried to negotiate but the Tyrians executed his messengers and threw their bodies into the sea.
Alexander flew into a rage and became determined to capture Tyre.
The water was shallow, about two meters deep, and work progressed rapidly.
The Siege of Tyre.
Like most of Alexanders siege towers, these were moving artillery platforms, with catapults on the top.
The Tyrians responded by building a fireship.
Then they ran the burning ship aground the mole, engulfing the two siege towers in flames.
Other Tyrian vessels fired missiles at Macedonian builders driving off anyone who tried to put out the fires.
The Siege of Tyre.
Illustration by Frank Martini
So Alexander set off for Sidon to fetch his own ships.
He raided up and down the coast collecting Phoenician vessels and crews which have previously served with the Persians.
In addition, the Kings of Cyprus sent another 120 vessels to join him.
Soon Alexander had a formidable fleet numbering over 250 vessels.
When Alexander arrived with his superior fleet, the Tyrians blocked their ports and barricaded themselves inside.
With the ships keeping guard, Alexander resumed building the mole.
Alexander ordered the rocks hoisted out of the water with ropes so that a path could be cleared.
The Tyrians then sent divers to cut the anchor ropes of the besieging ships.
Alexander responded by replacing ropes with iron chains.
Some 6,000 men were killed in action and another 2,000 Tyrians were crucified on the beach.
The rest of the population, some 30,000 people, consisting mostly of civilians were sold to slavery.
Alexanders men themselves suffered little casualties, with only about 400 killed.
The construction of the mole completely changed the geography of the coast.
Aerial view of Tyre.
