The word “besiege” describes the act of surrounding a place or person, often with the intent to control or overwhelm. This action implies pressure, confinement, and a strategic effort to cut off external support or escape. This fundamental concept underpins both its literal and metaphorical uses, highlighting the intensity of being enclosed or relentlessly pressed upon.
Military Definition and Tactics
In its most direct sense, to “besiege” means to encircle a fortified place with armed forces, aiming to compel its surrender. The primary objective of a military siege is to capture a stronghold by cutting off its access to supplies, reinforcements, and communication. This strategy often involves prolonged investment, where an army establishes a sustained presence to exhaust defenders through starvation, thirst, or disease, rather than a direct, costly assault.
Military tactics employed during a siege are varied, designed to weaken the besieged. These may include constructing circumvallation lines—earthworks and trenches that completely encircle the target to prevent movement. Attackers deploy siege engines like battering rams to breach walls, or catapults and trebuchets to hurl projectiles. Sapping, or mining, involves digging tunnels beneath fortifications to collapse walls from below. The goal is to apply relentless pressure, forcing the besieged into a position where resistance is no longer feasible.
Figurative Applications
Beyond its military origins, “besiege” extends metaphorically to describe situations of overwhelming pressure or being surrounded by non-physical elements. This figurative use often conveys a sense of being inundated or harassed. For instance, a person might feel “besieged” by numerous requests.
The term also applies to situations where an individual is overwhelmed by problems, emotions, or people. A public figure, for example, can be “besieged” by reporters and photographers, finding themselves surrounded and relentlessly questioned. This usage emphasizes the intense, relentless nature of the pressure, evoking the image of being trapped or cornered by an abundance of demands or challenges.
Notable Historical Sieges
Throughout history, sieges have played a significant role in shaping conflicts, demonstrating the strategic importance of surrounding an enemy. One legendary example is the Siege of Troy, immortalized in Homer’s Iliad. Greek forces besieged Troy for ten years, ultimately leading to its fall through the cunning use of the Trojan Horse. This narrative highlights the prolonged struggle to overcome formidable defenses.
Another significant event was the Siege of Masada (72-73 AD) during the First Jewish-Roman War. Roman forces besieged Jewish rebels entrenched in the desert fortress. The Romans constructed a massive siege ramp to breach the stronghold, eventually leading to the mass suicide of the defenders who preferred death to capture. This siege showcases the determination required by besiegers to overcome natural and man-made defenses.
A more modern example is the Siege of Leningrad during World War II, lasting 872 days (September 1941 to January 1944). German and Finnish forces encircled the city, cutting off all supply routes and subjecting inhabitants to extreme starvation, cold, and bombardment. Despite immense casualties, estimated at over a million civilian deaths, the city never surrendered, illustrating the brutal effectiveness of a prolonged blockade and the resilience of those besieged.
Word Origins and Related Terms
The word “besiege” traces its roots to Middle English “besegen,” which itself derives from the Old French “asegier,” meaning “to sit or lay siege to.” This French term evolved from the Vulgar Latin “assidiare,” linked to the Latin “assidere,” meaning “to sit near or upon.” The English prefix “be-” emphasizes the sense of being completely surrounded or enveloped.
Several terms are closely related to “besiege,” reflecting its core meaning of surrounding or overwhelming. Synonyms include “surround,” “blockade,” “encircle,” “beleaguer,” “assail,” “invest,” “hem in,” “beset,” “harass,” and “overwhelm.” These words capture various nuances of the action, from physical encirclement to persistent mental pressure. Conversely, antonyms for “besiege” suggest relief, freedom, or support, such as “liberate,” “relieve,” “aid,” “defend,” “assist,” “free,” and “support.” These contrasting terms highlight the fundamental opposition between confinement and liberation.