Alexander the Great readily acknowledged that he had a small naval force to support his ground centric force and sought an answer on how to lead his forces into the city. Utilizing his lessons from Aristotle he and his team of engineers learned that the water between him and the island city was relatively shallow until shortly before the walls. His plan was to employ a one kilometer long “mole” (causeway) across the water where his army could breach the island …show more content…
Finally breaching the wall in south side of the city with his catapults Alexander immediately engaged with his navy, circumventing it and attacking it from all sides as his ground forces exploited the breach in the city. Floating his siege towers to the walls and flowing forces inward, Alexander personally led his forces to sack the entire city. The siege had taken six months and the display of killing Alexanders envoys led to sparing only those who took sanctuary at the Temple of Hercules. Alexander was estimated to have lost 400 men during the siege, while 6,000-8,000 Tyrians were killed and another 30,000 sold into slavery. In victory Alexander finished his causeway and placed a catapult in front of the Temple of Hercules. He then departed with his army to Gaza and then to Egypt where he was welcomed and proclaimed