POLIORCETICS OVERVIEW
As virtually every Iron Age city or large town was protected by its own defensive walls, it was necessary for the Assyrian military to develop the capability to conduct sieges (poliorcetics). The variety of siege engines illustrated on surviving reliefs demonstrate clearly the Assyrians' continuing attempts to improve existing designs.
Nevertheless, because of the time, risks and costs involved in mounting sieges, the Assyrians preferred to meet their opponents in open battle in order to force a rapid decision.